But what does that even mean?

The Midrash, a collection of rabbinic teachings that interpret the Bible, uses stories to unpack these verses. And this particular Midrash offers a fascinating little narrative.

We hear about Rabbi Judah the Prince, a towering figure in Jewish history who compiled the Mishnah. He dispatched Rabbi Hiyya, Rabbi Yosei, and Rabbi Ami on a mission. Their task? To venture forth from the city of Mabûr Qirîthâ d'Ishrâ'el, to learn from others and, crucially, to teach them.

They arrived at a certain place, but something was amiss. They found no scribes, no teachers. A rather worrying scenario for these rabbis! "Bring us a scroll of the Torah," they requested, hoping to find some semblance of Jewish learning. The response? "There is no scroll here, only the ruins of a destroyed city." Devastating.

So, naturally, they ask: “Are there no scribes or teachers here?” The answer they receive is both surprising and profound: "We are the scribes and teachers."

Wait, what?

How could this be? A destroyed city, no visible signs of Torah learning, and yet… they are the teachers? That’s where the next verse of the Psalm comes in: "If the Lord does not guard the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalm 127:1). The Midrash connects this to the wives of students of the wise. These women, through their dedication and the families they raise, are the true guardians of the city. They are the ones ensuring the continuity of Jewish tradition, even in the face of destruction.

The Midrash continues with another verse: "Behold, children are a heritage of the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward" (Psalm 127:3). This isn't just about having children, but about recognizing that they are a gift, a blessing directly from God.

It then contrasts human effort with divine bestowal. It says that a human employer will make the worker do all the hard work and then pay them very little, but God gives freely to those who desire from him. "He who desires children, the Lord gives him, as it is written, 'Behold, children are a heritage of the Lord.'" Similarly, "He who desires wisdom, the Lord gives him, as it is written, 'For the Lord gives wisdom' (Proverbs 2:6)." And finally, "He who desires wealth, the Lord gives him, as it is written, 'And riches and honor come from you' (1 Chronicles 29:12)."

So what’s the takeaway here?

It's not about sitting back and waiting for things to fall into our laps. We still have to put in the work. We still have to till the soil, so to speak. But it is about recognizing that ultimate success, true fulfillment, comes from a source beyond ourselves. It’s about acknowledging that God's hand is in the building of our lives, in the guarding of our communities, and in the blessings we receive. Without that divine spark, all our efforts might just be in vain.