Machshavot HaLev - Yeshivat Lev HaTorah

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בלה תובשחמ
in Yehoshua (1:8) which directs us to learn Torah constantly? Rabbi Yishmael
says that one should live in a normal fashion: one should plant and harvest, in
addition to learning Torah. Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, however, claims that if we
are serving Hashem properly we will not need to gather our own grain; others
will do it for us. If we are not serving Hashem properly, we will have to gather our
own grain, and we will have less time for learning.
Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai’s opinion seems difficult in light of the simple meaning
of the pesukim. The pasuk that says “you shall gather your grain” presents this
as a reward – עומש םא היהו, if you follow the commands, you will have grain to
gather!
Rav Ya’akov Moshe Charlap suggests an answer which can address both of these
difficulties. There are two types of ovdei Hashem: one who serves Hashem based
upon yirah, fear, and one who serves from ahava, love. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
refers to one who serves from fear, who keeps mitzvot because he has to. Such
a person will receive material reward, but that reward will come with a price:
he will have less time for avodat Hashem. On the other hand, one who serves
Hashem with love, whose life revolves around avodat Hashem, will use even his
material goods to further his avodat Hashem. For such a person, material benefit
is a pure reward.
Rav Charlop uses this idea to answer our question regarding Avraham as well.
Avraham served Hashem with every fiber of his being. For Avraham, “enjoyment
and benefit,” even of the physical variety, were not at odds with spiritual
achievement but were rather a tool that he could use for spiritual purposes.