בס”ד
רַבִּי נְחוּנְיָא בֶּן הַקָּנָה אוֹמֵר, כָּל הַמְקַבֵּל עָלָיו עֹל תּוֹרָה, מַעֲבִירִין מִמֶּנּוּ עֹל מַלְכוּת וְעֹל דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ. וְכָל הַפּוֹרֵק מִמֶּנּוּ עֹל תּוֹרָה, נוֹתְנִין עָלָיו עֹל מַלְכוּת וְעֹל דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ
Rabbi Nehunia ben Hakkanah said: whoever takes upon himself the yoke of the Torah, they remove from him the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly concerns, and whoever breaks off from himself the yoke of the Torah, they place upon him the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly concerns.
If we take the text literally, it underscores the necessity of Torah study for Jewish men. This is such a vital role that society must assist them and care for them – and their families – so that they do not have to deal with other worldly matters and pay taxes..[1]
Are non-Jews allowed to give donations to Yeshiva Students?
My own answer is “yes,” after all, even for non-Jews, it is important for Jews to study Torah since it answers key social issues, such as the topic of “laboratory meat.”
I reach this conclusion because non-Jews are permitted to make donaties for the Temple, and Jews are permitted to accept donations from Bnei Noach. To avoid confusion, it is critical that it not be offered on a Jewish or a gentile festival..[2].
We can keep it “closer to home”. There are Noahides who frequently attend Rabbinic classes and object to Rabbis charging fees for their classes; after all, shouldn’t teaching come from the heart alone, and shouldn’t Noahides see teaching as a responsibility of G-d? On the one hand, that is correct, but don’t students have a responsibility to ensure that their Rabbis are able to live and support their families?
The text can also be brought “into our own homes.” You can be confident that if you learn the 7 Noahide Commandments, you will perform well in your other everyday duties. You don’t have to be concerned about your income or expenses since you can (learn to) trust G-d. Because one of the seven Noahide Commandments is “Know G-d,” understand that He is the only One who determines and controls everything. He provides everyone with everything they require, whether it is good or concealed good.
Give the other person what they are entitled to and trust that you will get what you need.
By Angelique Sijbolts
Sources:
[1] Arakin 6a:3
[2] English Explanation of Mishnah Challah 3:5:3
Beitzah 24b:7
Beitzah 24b:9
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