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Thank God for Work and Worth

There are few satisfactions that are as complete is the pleasure of a task that has been well done. On the passage in Deuteronomy 30: 17, uvacharta bahayim , “choose life.”   Rabbi Ishmael taught, zu umanut , “that refers to a profession" (J.T. Kiddishin 1:7).   Not only is a man without skill unsupportable the material sense, he is unsupportable in a psychological sense. The Psalmist sang, “When you eat the labor of your hands, you are praiseworthy and it shall be well with thee.” (Ps 128:2).   Work is not a curse, nor a bitter necessity, nor even the means of making a living. It is a calling, a high human function, the basis of a dignified life, something which adds status and pride to a person because it offers an outlet to his creative energy.