Business Advice

“Then all the peoples of the earth will see that the name of the Lord is called upon you, and they will fear from you.” (Devarim 28:10) 

Torah Alters the Mind 

In cities such as Budapest and many others, I have witnessed some of the non-Orthodox Jewish day schools accept many non-Jewish students. These non-Jewish parents send their children to a Jewish school because they want them to study Torah, so that they can become as wise as the Jewish children. 

Fifty years ago, while I was in London, a traditional Jew who was a well-respected lawyer came to meet with me. He was trying to maneuver a complicated matter through the British legal system. After I provided advice and guidance, the man told me, “Now I see how Torah scholars can think differently and how they can understand the intricacies of the laws better than a lawyer! This reminds me of a saying people had in my town before the Holocaust. They would describe someone who studies Talmud as having a ‘gemara kepel.’ The Torah study sharpened their minds and helped them become cleverer.” 

Every yid must think about this reality. The Yetzer Harah tries to convince you that Torah study will not provide you with the skills and knowledge that you will need to pursue a livelihood. And, therefore, you need to minimize the amount of time you dedicate for Torah study and pursue other secular subjects. However, not only is this a falsity, but the exact opposite is true. When a person studies the Torah, they can grasp other subjects more quickly and learn the subjects that might be required for their desired profession more easily. As Chazal taught (Kinim 3:5), as a Torah scholar ages, his mind becomes more composed and sharper. 

Yaakov’s Message to Eisav 

The Pardes Yosef (Bereishit 32:5) explains, when Yaakov and Eisav were young, Eisav would always claim that Yaakov would never be able to successfully earn a living since he was spending too much time studying Torah. Therefore, when they met, Yaakov sent word of his extraordinary wealth to demonstrate the Torah study made him smarter and enabled him to become affluent as a result.  

Some seforim explain, that this is alluded in the pasuk (Devarim 33:18), “And to Zevulun he said: “Rejoice, Zevulun, in your departure, and Yissachar, in your tents”. When someone goes out into the business world like Zevulun, they are happy if Yissachar remains in the “tents” studying Torah. For, once Yissachar leaves the Beis Midrash and goes into business, he can outsmart his competition with the skills and knowledge that he acquired while studying Torah. 

Wise in All Matters 

Chazal taught (Pirkei Avot 6:1) that the Torah grants someone “sovereignty, dominion, and jurisprudence.” The Torah can make a person wise and sharpen their mind. Therefore, someone who studies Torah can give advice not only regarding spiritual matters, but secular topics that have no relevance to Torah study as well. This is one of the merits someone receives when they sincerely study Torah. 

Nowadays, we see this clearly. People seek business advice and guidance from Torah scholars, even though the scholar doesn’t have any experience or relevance to the subject at hand. Yet, he offers the advice confidently and those who listen see successful outcomes. This ability stems from the power of Torah study. 

However, without Torah study, someone cannot have this ability. Even a wise businessman cannot offer advice that is beyond the scope of his expertise. 

Torah Can Change Anyone 

The pasuk says (Tehillim 19:8), “the testimony of the Lord is faithful, making the simple one wise”. Even when someone is born without the sharpest mind, Torah study can transform him and his mind. He can become wise, and his mind can become sharp. 

The Mishnah in Pirkei Avot teaches us (Chapter IV, Mishnah II), “all who occupy themselves with Torah study become elevated.” R’ Shaul Brach, the Rav of Kashu, wrote in his publication Cheilek L’Olam Habah, that the word “all” is used to include even someone who was born foolish. Such people can also be elevated to a Torah scholar. And, he continues to explain, “I have seen this several times in my students. Even the feebleminded were able to become wise through studying Torah. I heard my Rebbe the saintly Maharam Shik say, that when he was young, people would say that he had dulled senses. However, through diligently studying Torah, he was elevated to the point that other people called him perceptive. And, he spread Torah throughout the world.” 

Fifty Gates of Understanding 

The Torah teaches us (Devarim 4:6): And you shall keep [them] and do [them], for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the peoples, who will hear all these statutes and say, “Only this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 

The Ramban in his introduction to his Torah commentary explains, that there are 50 Gates of Understanding that were created in this world, and they include all the secular and worldly subjects as well. Each of these gates were given to Moshe Rabbeinu. And they are all written explicitly or alluded to in the Torah. Therefore, through studying the Torah, a person can understand the secular subjects as well. 

This is alluded to by the bracha in our pasuk. The Torah is blessing everyone who dedicates time to studying Torah. As the pasuk says, וראו כל עמי הארץ – “Then all the peoples of the earth will see”. The “Am HaAretz,” those who do not pursue Torah study, will see that those who כי שם ד’ – “the name of the Lord” is upon, referring to the Torah which is all Hashem’s Name. נקרא עליך – “is called upon you” is referring to the 50 Gates of Understanding. The word “נקרא-called” is an acronym for “נ’ קרא. Meaning, a person will see the 50 Gates of Understanding acquired by reading and studying the Torah. 

When you realize and see that those who study in yeshiva or dedicate time for Torah study have wisdom in all worldly matters as well, then, as the pasuk continues, ויראו – “they will fear”. They will have Yirat Shemayim (fear of heaven), “from you”, because this strengthens the faith in Hashem who gave us the Torah. 

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The Kalever Rebbe is the seventh Rebbe of the Kaalov Chasidic dynasty, begun by his ancestor who was born to his previously childless parents after receiving a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov zy”a, and later learned under the Maggid of Mezeritch zt”l. The Rebbe has been involved in outreach for more than 30 years and writes weekly emails on understanding current issues through the Torah. Sign up at www.kaalov.org.