A Torah Life Without Price: The Story of the Chacham Tzvi

“I have a special request for our Rabbi. Please, don’t send me away empty-handed,” whispered the wealthy R’ Hirtz to the great Torah sage, the Chacham Tzvi. The rabbi nodded kindly and invited him to speak. He hoped he could help the generous man who was known for supporting Torah scholars with love and care like a father who treasures his only son.

R’ Hirtz of Hanover was a true lover of Torah and gave large portions of his wealth to help support those who spent their lives learning it. When he heard about the Chacham Tzvi, Rabbi Tzvi Ashkenazi, one of the greatest Torah scholars of the time, he was deeply moved. The Chacham Tzvi lived in Altona and was admired throughout the Jewish world for his brilliance and deep holiness. His son, the Yaavetz (Rabbi Yaakov ben Tzvi Ashkenazi), followed in his footsteps and became famous for his own Torah greatness.

R’ Hirtz traveled all the way to Altona to meet the Chacham Tzvi, filled with admiration. With deep respect, he proposed forming a spiritual partnership known in Jewish tradition as a “Yissachar-Zevulun agreement.” In this arrangement, one person devotes himself to Torah study (like the tribe of Yissachar) while the other supports him financially (like Zevulun), sharing in the spiritual reward.

The agreement R’ Hirtz suggested was simple: he would provide generous financial support for the rabbi, his household, and even the needs of the community, in exchange for just one hour a day of the Chacham Tzvi’s Torah learning dedicated to his merit.

After hearing the request, the Chacham Tzvi responded calmly but firmly. “Absolutely not,” he said, trembling slightly. “That I should study Torah for money, even to benefit someone else? All of my learning is done only to bring joy to the Creator and fulfill His mitzvot (commandments).”

He explained that not even all the money in the world would make him give away the merit of even one hour of his Torah learning. He studied Torah purely for the sake of Heaven, and he would not compromise that, not even for a noble cause.

R’ Hirtz left the meeting in awe. Here was a man who lived and breathed Torah every moment of the day, except when praying or taking care of basic needs. Just one word, "yes", would have lifted all his financial worries. But instead, he chose to keep his learning pure, only for Hashem.

Back at his lodging, R’ Hirtz turned to the host and said, with a mix of sadness and admiration, “If only I could one day have the merit to give some of my wealth to such a holy man.”

Years passed, and eventually R’ Hirtz passed away. After the thirty days of mourning (shloshim), a dispute arose between his widow and son-in-law over how to divide his large estate. They needed someone wise and trustworthy to settle the matter according to halachah (Jewish law) or to help them reach a fair compromise.

They searched for a Torah scholar who could handle such a sensitive case and who better than the Chacham Tzvi? He was invited to Hanover to serve as a judge and peacemaker. He stayed for several days, carefully reviewing the legal details, listening to both sides, and ultimately resolving the issue to everyone’s satisfaction.

For his work, the family respectfully paid him a sum as a “ruling fee,” recognizing his efforts and Torah wisdom. And so, in the end, the hopes of both the rabbi and the generous donor were fulfilled.

The Chacham Tzvi had refused to study Torah for payment. But here, he was compensated fairly, not for Torah learning, but for his careful and honest work as a judge. And R’ Hirtz, who hadn’t been able to give money to the rabbi during his lifetime, had his wish come true after his passing.

The verse was fulfilled for them both: “He will fulfill the will of those who fear Him” (Tehillim/Psalms 145:19).

The Chacham Tzvi remained faithful to his principle of learning Torah purely for Hashem’s sake, and still, Hashem arranged that he would be honored and supported in a way that preserved his integrity. And R’ Hirtz, whose heart longed to give, was able to support the great sage’s work in the end.

Nothing is ever lost when it comes from a place of faith and sincerity. Sometimes, Hashem fulfills our deepest hopes in ways we never expected.