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?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)