Work as a Value in the Writings of Rabbi Y.Y. Reines

Amir Mashiach

doi:10.3390/rel9020064

Abstract

Religious texts in the Jewish tradition uphold a notion of work as an existential need. It follows that work is of no religious significance in itself. Torah study has traditionally put it at the top of the hierarchy of Jewish values. The approach most clearly discernible throughout Jewish history has seen work as a prerequisite to be satisfied in order for the real essentials of life to be addressed; this approach became dominant almost to the exclusion of any other. Nota bene: seen in this way, work is a must, but not a religious value in itself. R. Yitzhak Yaakov Reines (1839–1915), one of the greatest Torah1 scholars of Lithuania, founded the Mizrachi religious Zionist movement in 1902.2 The movement upheld the notion of work as a religious value, not only as an existential need. Bnei Akiva, the youth movement associated with the Mizrachi, emblazoned the motto of “Torah and Labor” upon its banner. The present article sets out to trace R. Reines’ thought and the idea of labor in his theological teaching. His thought continues to have a significant impact on religious Zionists in the State of Israel and throughout the world.

Highlights

It follows that work is of no religious significance in itself
Reines defines secular studies as “comprehensive studies which are required for a human being insofar as one is human, Reines (1913)” so that they should be included in the very core of the curriculum of study in a traditional academy of learning
Land of Israel; he calls for political activism to advance the creation of a Jewish homeland; he calls for activism with regard to national deliverance; and he calls for activism in connection with work and making a living on the level of the individual

Summary

The Land of Israel

R. Reines’ understanding of work can be further pieced together from a study of the Commandment of settling the Land of Israel in his teaching; he connects settlement of the Land with the notion of Redemption and the acceleration of this by means of working in the Land.. Reines’ statement about work in the Land of Israel can be made sense of in light of these considerations In his view, work in the Land of Israel is capable of bringing and preparing the People of Israel for the fulfillment of its purpose and destiny as designated by the Torah: Only this Land has the capacity for the tilling of the soil, to feed those tilling it faithfully, and .

Activeness

Agricultural Work vis-à-vis Commerce

Summary and Discussion