Rabbinic perspectives on finding the time to study

In my current project of seeking to identify some aspects of Paul’s thought which may be rooted in his Pharisaic education and training (cf. Phil 3:5), I can occasionally follow rabbit trails to interesting places. Looking up some references in the Mishnah I was reminded of the many references to the value of Torah study. Here are a few of the sayings from Pirke Abot that struck me from among the sayings of Hillel:

He who does not increase (his knowledge) decreases (it). (m. Abot 1:13)

Neither say, ‘When I have leisure I will study’; perchance thou wilt have no leisure. (m. Abot 2:5)

And if not now, when? (m. Abot 1:14)

While these are challenging reminders for those of us who want to pursue the life of the mind out of a sense of vocation, they also attest to the frustration that can come as we face the limits of our time and the pressing demands of our daily lives. For the rabbis, however, the need to work (i.e. have a real job) alongside the study process was regarded as a positive, not a negative. In that respect, I find the following comment most interesting:

Rabban Gamaliel, the son of Rabbi Judah, the Prince, said, “Excellent is the study of Torah combined with some worldly pursuit, for the effort demanded by them both makes sin to be forgotten. All study of Torah without work must at length be futile, and leads to sin.” (m. Abot 2:2)

Finally, Rabbi Eleazar offers an exhortation that is always timely, and that serves as a fitting end to this short post. In addition to being diligent in study:

know also before whom thou toilest, and who thy Employer is, who will pay thee the reward of thy labor. (m. Abot 2:19)

Mishnah citations taken from online translation by Gorfinkle available at http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8547/pg8547.html.