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Laws of Learning Torah: Difference between revisions
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# One should not interrupt Torah learning to answer Baruch Hu Ubaruch Shemo. <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, Volume 1, Page 111 </ref> | # One should not interrupt Torah learning to answer Baruch Hu Ubaruch Shemo. <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch of Rav Rephael Baruch Toledano, Volume 1, Page 111 </ref> | ||
# Should one interrupt one's learning in order to say the bracha on lightning and thunder? See [[Bracha_For_Seeing_Natural_Wonders#Lightning_and_Thunder]]. | # Should one interrupt one's learning in order to say the bracha on lightning and thunder? See [[Bracha_For_Seeing_Natural_Wonders#Lightning_and_Thunder]]. | ||
==Taking Money for Learning and Teaching Torah== | |||
===Learning Torah=== | |||
# The mishna in Mesekhes Avos states that one should not derive benefit from his Torah learning.<ref>Avos 4:5</ref> The Rambam<ref>Avos 4:5 and in Hilchos Talmud Torah perek 3. explains that it is a desecration of G-d’s name, and by extension His Torah, to make Torah learning into a money-making profession.<ref> The Rambam lists several different reasons as to why taking money for Torah is wrong. Besides the consideration of chillul Hashem, the Rambam adds that melachah is a positive virtue which prevents falling into sin (Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:10). Thus, if a person is only learning and is not working he may run a greater risk of falling prey to sin.</ref> | |||
# Many gedolei Yisroel throughout the generations disagreed with the Rambam. <ref> See the Tashbetz’s reaction to the Rambam (Shut Tashbetz 1:142), where he notes that it was always the practice that Bnei Yisroel have supported their Torah scholars. He brings several proofs from midrashic and Talmudic sources that it is permissible, or perhaps even obligatory, for Torah scholars to accept wealth that matches their stature. The Rama YD 246:21 codifies the Tashbetz’s opinion. Also, Kesef Mishna (Talmud Torah 3:10) emphasizes that there was a strong minhag to be lenient on this, and he ends off by saying that even if the halacha is like the Rambam, maybe we should apply the rule of "et laasot l'hashem". He repeats this sentiment in Bet Yosef YD 246:21. | |||
The Maharshal (Yam Shel Shlomo Chullin 3:9) is adamantly opposed to the opinion of the Rambam if not taking money will cause bitul torah. He says that if a person can learn more by taking money to learn, he should do so, and it is an aveirah not to take it! </ref> Additionally, some poskim limit the scope of the Rambam’s psak and conclude that even he would agree that it is permissible to take money for Torah learning if learning would otherwise be impossible.<ref> For example, see Rav Moshe Feinstein’s approach to the Rambam in Igros Moshe (Yoreh Deah 4:36). He contends that the Rambam only said that accepting money for learning would be prohibited if the Torah scholar is capable of studying diligently with a clear mind even after working for parnassah for a portion of the day. However, if the scholar is not capable of concentrating in the same way that he would be without having engaged in work, it is permissible for him to accept donations from the tzibbur. | |||
Taz YD 246:7 is swayed by the concern that nowadays making parnasa for tuitions, weddings, and raising a Jewish family is really very hard. Also, Biur Halacha OC 231 says perhaps the Rambam would be modeh that it is muter if it isn't possible to learn properly and work. | |||
Furthermore, Rav Moshe (Igrot Moshe YD 2:116) says that it isn't even a midat chasidut to be stringent for the Rambam nowadays if it'll cause you to minimize your learning, since nowadays we're not capable of doing both. Rav Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer YD 7:17 agrees with Rav Moshe. | |||
Interestingly, Maaseh Rav (sheilta 50) says Rav Chaim Volozhon was asked by an avrech if he was right in deciding to turn down a Yisachar-Zevulun opportunity because he said that he didn't want to share his spiritual reward for money. Rav Chaim said he was totally wrong. By not taking the money, he indicated that he wasn't interested in fulfilling Hashem's will; rather, he just wanted the spiritual reward. If he wanted to promote Hashem's mitzvot in a greater fashion, he would take the money so that he would be free to learn more.</ref> | |||
# We pasken that, while it is commendable for a Torah scholar to support himself from his own earnings, it is permissible for him to accept donations to facilitate his learning.<ref>Rama, Yoreh Deah 246:21. </ref> | |||
===Teaching Torah=== | |||
# There is also a prohibition to charge money to teach Torah.<ref> Gemara Bechorot 29a, Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 246:5</ref> | |||
# However, there are several heteirim for those teaching Torah to charge money. For example, payment can certainly be accepted for any teaching position which includes disciplining children or instruction of non-Torah subjects.<ref> See Beis Yosef to Yoreh Deah 246:5. See Rav Schachter’s explanation in Ginat Egoz (p. 188) where he writes that for younger grades the salary for teachers could be compensation for watching the students. For teachers of mature students, the salary could be considered a compensation to allow the teachers to have free time to learn and teach, but the actual teaching isn’t for pay. Accordingly, he writes that in his opinion, there shouldn’t be a fixed amount of sick days for rebbeim because they aren’t being paid by the day, but rather they are being paid so that they’re available to teach.</ref> | |||
# Additionally, if there is no other way for a teacher to make a parnassah, it is permissible to accept wages for Torah instruction. Even if the teacher can make a living without these wages, he can charge money for clearly evident sechar batalah (payment for the amount of money he could have earned if he was not teaching).<ref>Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 246:5 </ref> | |||
==Links== | |||
* [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/814103/rabbi-hershel-schachter/inyonei-talmud-torah/ Inyonei Talmud Torah] by Rabbi Hershel Schachter | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<References/> | <References/> | ||
[[Category:Learning Torah]] | [[Category:Learning Torah]] | ||
