תלמוד בבלי, קדושין פב:
ר"מ אומר: לעולם ילמד אדם לבנו אומנות נקיה וקלה, ויבקש רחמים למי שהעושר והנכסים שלו, שאין עניות מן האומנות ואין עשירות מן האומנות אלא למי שהעושר שלו, שנאמר: (חגי ב) לי הכסף ולי הזהב נאם ה' צבאות.
R. Meir said: One should always teach one's child a clean and easy craft, and earnestly pray to God to Whom [all] wealth and property belong, for neither poverty nor wealth comes from one's calling, but from God to whom wealth and property belong, as it is said: "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, said the God" (Haggai 2:8).
[Soncino translation. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. If God is the decider of wealth, for what reason does R. Meir say that everyone must know a trade?
2. If all wealth is God's, how are we meant to relate to our stuff?
3. What social justice themes emerge from this text?
1. If God is the decider of wealth, for what reason does R. Meir say that everyone must know a trade?
2. If all wealth is God's, how are we meant to relate to our stuff?
3. What social justice themes emerge from this text?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)