משנה מסכת אבות פרק ב משנה ב
רבן גמליאל בנו של רבי יהודה הנשיא אומר יפה תלמוד תורה עם דרך ארץ שיגיעת שניהם משכחת עון וכל תורה שאין עמה מלאכה סופה בטלה וגוררת עון וכל העמלים עם הצבור יהיו עמלים עמהם לשם שמים שזכות
אבותם מסייעתן וצדקתם עומדת לעד ואתם מעלה אני עליכם שכר הרבה כאילו עשיתם
Rabban Gamaliel the son of Rabbi Judah the Prince said: Great is study of the Torah when combined with a worldly occupation, for toil in them both puts sin out of mind. All study of the Torah which is not supplemented by work is destined to prove futile and causes sin. Let all who occupy themselves with communal affairs do so for Heaven's sake, for then the merit of their ancestors sustains them and their righteousness endures forever. And as for you, God will then say: I count you worthy of great reward as if you had done it all yourselves. [Translation by shechem.org. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why does study need to be supplemented by work?
2. What does it mean to occupy yourself with communal affairs for Heaven’s sake? What is the reward for doing so?
3. According to this text, how should we conduct ourselves in the world?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)