Paths of Faith: The Torah Sustains Its Supporters

The verse promises us: "It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and those who support it are blessed" (Proverbs 3:18).

The Torah gives life to those who support it, just like the poles of the ark were meant to carry it – they essentially carried those who bore them. The Torah blesses those who have the merit to support its students: the generous individuals who donate their money to Torah learners and educational institutions, and us women, who support the Torah learners with devotion and love.

Rabbi Eliezer Gordon, Rosh Yeshiva of Telz, married the daughter of a wealthy man who promised to provide his livelihood after the marriage so that he could immerse himself in Torah study. After the marriage, the wealthy man lost his wealth and became impoverished, reaching the point of having almost nothing. Despite the financial struggles, Rabbi Eliezer's father-in-law insisted on continuing to support him. The mother-in-law asked her husband: "How can we provide for him? We are struggling ourselves!" and he replied: "Who says he's eating from mine? Maybe I am eating from his?"

The economic situation continued to deteriorate, there was nothing to eat at home, and to have something to sustain themselves, his mother-in-law went to collect leftover flour from the mills and got extra meat from the butcher, and she said to her husband: "Look how difficult it is for us! Maybe we should stop supporting our son-in-law?" and he responded again: "Who says he's eating from mine? Maybe I am eating from his?"

One day, Rabbi Eliezer was offered a job as a meat vein remover to ask his father-in-law's opinion, and his father-in-law replied: "Why should you become a vein remover? You should be a Rosh Yeshiva!" Hearing this, the mother-in-law asked: "Why did you answer him like that? He should earn his own living! We are struggling so much!" and again his father-in-law responded: "Who says he's eating from mine? Maybe I am eating from his?" Later, Rabbi Eliezer was offered a teaching position, and when he consulted his father-in-law again, he received the same answer: "You should be a great Rosh Yeshiva!" When his wife heard that her husband even opposed the teaching position, she asked again: "Why did you answer him like that? Let him earn his own living, we are struggling!" and again, she received the same known answer: "Who says he's eating from mine, maybe I am eating from his?"

One day, Rabbi Eliezer received a prestigious offer – he was offered the position of Rosh Yeshiva at Telz. As usual, he went to consult his father-in-law, and his father-in-law replied: "I would love for you to stay here, but I can no longer prevent you from ascending spiritually". Rabbi Eliezer accepted the offer, his wife's family and community members bid him farewell, and the family escorted him and his wife to the train, and returned home.

The next morning, Rabbi Eliezer's father-in-law did not rise from his bed! Then the wife said: "Now I understand just how right my husband was in his words: 'Who says he's eating from mine, maybe I am eating from his?'"

A woman who supports her husband's Torah merits great reward, as I had the privilege of hearing from Rebbetzin Kanievsky: "Every Jew who engages in Torah study in this world ensures his wife's place at his side in the world of truth, understanding all he learned. She will understand everything – because she supported him!

When he ascends to heaven, he will receive a warm welcome with drums and dancing, and his wife will receive the same welcome. She receives the same share because she helped him, supported, and refrained from disturbing him. All his spiritual elevation was only because of her support."

To purchase Rebbetzin Esther Tolentino's new book "Paths of Faith" at Hidabroot Shops, Click here