7436 —לימוד תורה לפני החלטות קריירה ובטחון בהשגחה פרטית

B"H, 26 Elul, 5720. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from 9/13, in which you outline the main points of your life story and your recent decision to study for a year in yeshivah, you express uncertainty about your livelihood and what will be after you leave yeshivah. It is not clear from your letter whether you are truly troubled by the thought that specifically these months spent learning in yeshivah will disrupt your livelihood!

On the contrary, one should hope that after tasting the sweetness of studying our Torah of life without other distracting studies, you will see that it is truly good—not only for the World to Come but also for this world. It is evident that the most essential factor for a person's happiness is feeling connected to life—not isolated (with oneself on one side and the world/environment on the other). The lack of this point among those who calculate only their material world is remedied only through faith in the Creator and Guide of the world who supervises it even now—in the language of our Sages, "below ten handbreadths." If this was always crucial for peace of mind, how much more so in our era after persecutions and decrees—pure and strong faith is our only anchor and survival. Clearly, faith is not strengthened by learning a trade or even science; on the contrary, engaging with sciences as they are today undermines all foundations—especially those upon which even so-called exact sciences are built.

This is not the place to bring proofs for all this but rather to emphasize that the first condition for proper livelihood is peace of mind and being able to focus on earning a living. Especially someone with understanding—about whom it says "increasing knowledge increases pain" when observing his surroundings—must base his worldview more firmly; this can only be done by dedicating time and being in an environment imbued with Torah's worldview and deepening Torah study (as above, without distractions from other studies). Once this foundation is firmly laid, then one should strive to build "the structure" for livelihood through learning a trade or similar pursuits.

In other words: The months or years devoted solely to Torah study are what establish future livelihood. As for your question about how you will earn a living later—since you are at an age where your aspirations regarding livelihood may still change (especially after dedicating time as described), it is not worthwhile to decide now about your future occupation; deal with it when its time comes—that is, when it becomes practically relevant.

The conclusion: You should learn in a yeshivah dedicated entirely to Torah study for a certain period—the more time spent, the stronger one's foundation in life. Afterward or near the end of this period, concern yourself with livelihood matters. May it be G‑d's will—He who watches over each individual with Divine Providence—that He guide you truly on a good path.

Blessings for good news and inscription in the Book of Life,
On behalf of the Lubavitcher Rebbe shlita,
Secretary

P.S. I hope you have set times to learn Chassidus—the inner dimension of Torah revealed in our generation—which adds vitality to Jewish life here in this world: vitality from goodness and purity. Even though unusual winds blow outside, it goes without saying how beneficial it would be if you studied some Chassidus every day—and increased on Shabbos Kodesh, which is holy unto Hashem.

Summary

Devoting time exclusively to Torah study before making career decisions strengthens both spiritual foundation and peace of mind. Trusting in Divine Providence brings true security; practical concerns about livelihood can be addressed later when relevant.