Parnasa

Until legitimate sources have been added for each halacha, please note that the halacha's without sources on this page may be questionable.

The importance of earning a living

1. Regardless of a person's stature, everyone must toil for their living. This was a result of Adam's sin and the subsequent curse put on mankind.
2. It is better to resort to embarrassing work in public than to rely on gifts from people for one's living.

Learning a trade and/or craft

1. G-d implanted within every human being a desire and ability to succeed within a certain activity. This was done so the world would not lack anything. Therefore, it is one's obligation to seek out his/her talent(s) in order to benefit the world and thereby earn their sustenance. One who fails to do so forgoes a world of pleasure and will have to answer why they didn't partake in their talents.
2. A man must learn a trade and/or craft as well as teach his son a trade and/or craft in order to prevent his son(and himself) from theivery.
3. One must love "melacha"(creative activity).