There's a fascinating passage in Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Genesis, that dives right into this feeling. It starts with the verse, "In suffering you shall eat of it" (Genesis 3:17), part of the consequences Adam faces after eating from the Tree of Knowledge.
Rav Asi makes a striking comparison. He says earning a livelihood is twice as difficult as childbirth. Think about that for a moment! He bases this on the subtle difference in the Hebrew words used. Childbirth is described as "be’etzev," in pain. But earning a livelihood? That's "be’itzavon," in suffering. The extended form, says Rav Asi, indicates a greater degree of difficulty. Ouch.
But here’s where it gets really interesting. Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman then offer contrasting, yet equally compelling, perspectives. Rabbi Eliezer compares redemption and earning a livelihood, suggesting they are two sides of the same coin. He points to Psalm 136, where we find "He rescued us from our foes, for His kindness is forever," immediately followed by "He gives food to all flesh, for His kindness is forever." (Psalms 136:24-25). The proximity suggests a connection: just as redemption is miraculous, so too is the provision of our daily bread. Just as redemption is something we should always hope for, so to earning our livelihood is a daily endeavor.
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman takes it a step further. He argues that earning a livelihood is greater than redemption itself! Why? Because, he says, redemption is often carried out through an angel. We see this idea in Genesis 48:16, where Jacob says, “The angel who redeems me from all evil…” But livelihood? That's directly from the Holy One, blessed be He. As it says in Psalms 145:16, "You open Your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
Think about that. The idea that our daily sustenance, our ability to provide for ourselves and our families, comes directly from God. It's a powerful and humbling thought.
Then, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi chimes in, claiming that earning a livelihood is even greater than the splitting of the Red Sea! He, too, uses the Psalms to illustrate his point. "Who split apart the Red Sea" (Psalms 136:13) comes before "He gives food to all flesh…" (Psalms 136:25) in the same psalm. The implication? Providing for all living beings is an even greater act than that monumental, history-altering miracle.
So what does it all mean? This passage from Bereshit Rabbah isn't just about the difficulty of making a living. It's about recognizing the profound connection between our daily struggles and God's constant provision. It's about seeing the miraculous in the mundane. And perhaps, it's about appreciating the effort, the toil, the very human experience of earning our keep, knowing that we're not alone in the process.
Next time you're feeling the pressure of work, the weight of responsibility, remember this story. Remember that earning a livelihood, while challenging, is also a profound connection to something far greater than ourselves.