This Is The Way [To Acquire] Torah: Eat Bread With Salt, Drink Water In Small Measure, Sleep On The Ground, Live A Life Of Deprivation, And Toil In The Torah. If You Do This, "You Shall Be Happy, And It Shall Be Well With You."[26] "You Shall Be Happy" In This World; "And It Shall Be Well With You" In The World To Come.

Live A Life Of Deprivation, And Toil In The Torah

Both poverty and wealth present challenges to divine service. The challenge of wealth, however, is more severe than the challenge of poverty.

The challenges presented by poverty are for the most part external; day-to-day life is simply more difficult, and it is harder to devote energy to divine service.

The challenges presented by wealth are largely internal. When a person is prosperous, there is a natural tendency for him to think, "My strength and the power of my hand achieved this bounty for me."[27] Such an approach runs in direct contradiction to the study of Torah. For the essence of our relationship with the Torah revolves around kabbalas ol - absolute acceptance of G-d's laws, even when they run contrary to one's own thinking. Any material success we may enjoy should be regarded as a reward given by G-d, and should not lead to pride.

Few of us today are beset by the challenges of extreme poverty. We do, however, confront the challenges of wealth. To overcome these challenges, we need self-control, and the reinforcement, humility and strength that one person can offer a friend.

(Likkutei Sichos, Vol. II, 643-644)

   

Notes:

26. (Back to text) Tehillim 128:2.

27. (Back to text) Devarim 8:17.