Monday, October 10, 2011

Kemach and Torah

The Mishna in Avos in the third perek says "Im ein Kemach ein Torah". The Maharal in Derech Chaim explains that the mishna specifically uses Kemach as an example for sustenance because there is a basic question on the mishna. Chazal state in Sotah "Kol sheyesh lo pos b'esaloh ve'omer mah echol le'machar harai zeh mi'kitanei emunah"- One who has what to eat today and worries what he will eat tomorrow is considered one of limited belief in God. So why do we say that Im ein Kemach ein Torah? The Maharal explains that there is a fine balance, the mishna could have chosen to say "Im ein Lechem ein Torah" or for that matter "Im ein Chitim ein Torah" however the mishna chose to specifically use the term Kemach which is the in between stage. Chitim would be a longer term plan however one does not have to plan for such long term for if he does he would be considered Mikatnei Emunah on the other hand if it would state Lechem then one would assume that you don't have to plan ahead for more than a day or so and that is also not the case. One must make a normal balanced plan on how to sustain himself for the medium term and that is the condition precedent to having Torah

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