Today’s daf TB Shabbat 53 teaches
that everybody agrees we are allowed to place on animals things like a saddle
blanket to keep them warm when they are cold because we are not permitted to
cause animals pain or in Hebrew צער בעלי חיים. Obviously
the purpose of these blankets is to serve and protect the animal and they are not
a burden (משאוי). In the course of discussion with what
things animals may go out and Shabbat, the Gemara goes off on a little tangent and
tells a very strange story
“Sages taught: There was an incident
where one man’s wife died, and she left him a son to nurse, and
he did not have money to pay the wages of a wet-nurse. And a miracle was
performed on his behalf, and he developed breasts like the two breasts of a
woman, and he nursed his son.
“Rav Yosef said: Come and see how great this person is that a miracle of that
magnitude was performed on his behalf. Abaye said to him: On the contrary,
how dishonorable is this person that the order of creation was altered on his
behalf. A miracle was indeed performed on his behalf; however, it was
performed in a demeaning and unpleasant manner.
“Rav Yehuda added and said: Come and see how difficult it is to provide for a
person’s sustenance. It is so difficult that the order of creation had
to be altered on his behalf, which was apparently easier than
providing him a source of financial support. Rav Naḥman said: Know that
it is so, as miracles are often performed on a person’s behalf; however,
it has not yet happened that food was miraculously created
in a person’s home.” (Sefaria.org translation)
I’m pretty
skeptical that this miracle ever happened no matter what our sages taught. What
interests me is Rav Yehuda take away “Come
and see how difficult it is to provide for a person’s sustenance.” We shall learn in TB Pesachim 118a to what a
degree the hardship of providing a person’s sustenance is. Rabbi Yoḥanan emphasizes how difficult it is to make a
living and providing food for your family by comparing the verses concerning
God’s punishment of Adam and Eve after they ate the forbidden fruit. He even
goes as far to say that providing a livelihood is harder than bringing
redemption to this world because only God can provide for our livelihood.
According to Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya, even for God this is no simple matter.
“Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The task of providing a person’s food is twice as
difficult as the suffering endured by a woman in childbirth. While, with
regard to a woman in childbirth, it is written: “In pain [be’etzev]
you shall bring forth children” (Genesis
3:16), with regard to food, it is written: “In toil [be’itzavon]
you shall eat of it, all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:17). Itzavon is a superlative form
of etzev, which indicates that it is more difficult to support oneself
than to give birth.
And Rabbi
Yoḥanan said: The
task of providing a person’s food is more difficult than the redemption.
While, with regard to the redemption, it is written: “The angel who has
redeemed me from all evil” (Genesis 48:16), indicating that a mere angel
is sufficient to protect a person from all evil; whereas, with regard to
sustenance, it is written: “The God who has been my shepherd all my life
long to this day” (Genesis
48:15). This verse implies that only God can help one who is struggling to
earn a living.
Rav
Sheizvi said, citing Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya: The task of providing a person’s food is as
difficult as the splitting of the Red Sea, as it is written: “He gives food to
all flesh, for His mercy endures forever” (Psalms 136:25), and juxtaposed to it is the
verse: “To Him who divided the Red Sea in sunder, for His mercy endures
forever” (Psalms 136:13).
The reiteration of the last part of the verse indicates that the two praises are
to a certain extent equivalent.” (Sefaria.org translation)
What was a
reality back in Talmudic times is unquestionable true today during the
coronavirus pandemic. In the past four weeks over 22 million people have lost
their jobs and are looking for unemployment benefits. Not since the Great
Depression have we seen such a toll on the workforce. Those of us who are
blessed with an income have an opportunity and an obligation to help those in
need. Here are three websites which can help you decide where to direct some of
your tzedaka money. Let’s be God’s partners helping the Almighty provide our
neighbors. Together we can make a difference.
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