“When you eat the labor of your hands, you are fortunate, and it is good for you” (Tehillim 128:2)
“What profit does man have for all his work which he labors beneath the sun?” (Kohelet 1:3)
“It is better for a person to have one thing with suffering than one hundred in ease” (Avot d’Rabbi Natan 3:6).
The Ohr Hachaim (Chafetz Hashem L’Rabbi Chaim ben Attar) quotes the Gemara (Berachot 8a) which states, “Greater is one who enjoys his hard work than one who fears Heaven.” He says that this is referring to the days of old, when the people had pure intellect and were capable of understanding Torah. For such a person, it is preferable to enjoy the fruits of his labor. But nowadays, the intellect has become reduced. Maybe, if a person were to learn Torah all day and night, he could understand all of the relevant halachot. But, due to our sins, Torah study has been greatly decreased. It is fitting for a person to sit and learn Torah and be supported by others.
The Chida (Devarim Achadim LaChida, pg. 76) asks: Why does Shlomo Hamelech say (Mishlei 6:6), “Go to the ant, you lazy one; see its ways and grow wise”? Wouldn’t it have been appropriate to say, “See its ways and learn to be swift”? What is meant by “grow wise”?
Our Sages describe the diligence of the ant. An ant lives for a total of six months, and during its lifetime, it consumes only one and a half grains of wheat. Nevertheless, it is constantly on the run, collecting as much food as possible. It stores up a tremendous amount of grain. Researchers once investigated the underground tunnels of the ant and found an entire network of crevices and crannies. It had each section perfectly built, protected against moisture and other natural elements. If water leaked in, the ant would take out the grains to dry in the sun and then return them to their place.
If the pasuk were to tell a lazy man to learn from the ant how to hustle in life, he would take it as a charge to amass as much materialism as possible. He would gather money like grains of sand, hoarding jewels and gems. He would always chase after luxuries, never sating himself with what he already has. He would use only some of his assets, squirreling away the bulk of his treasures, like the ant, which survives on one and a half grains, yet maintains a network of stockpiles.
Therefore, Shlomo Hamelech said, “See its ways and grow wise.” This means that one should apply the persistence of the ant to acquire knowledge in Torah and mitzvot. Just as the ant exerts itself to carry burdens twice its own size, so should you exert yourself in Avodat Hashem, above your natural strength. And just as the ant tries to gather all sorts of foods, such as wheat, barley, lentils, etc., so should you expand your boundaries in Torah and mitzvot. Just as the ant does not let the heat disturb it in its mission, so should a person not let inclement weather interrupt him in his duty. Just as the ant protects its food and preserves it in the best way possible, preventing it from becoming moldy due to any leaks in its home, so should a person make sure to keep his mitzvot pure and perfect, never sinning, lest he spoil them. Just as the ant puts out the grains to dry if they became wet, and then returns them to its abode, so should a person correct any failing due to contact with the Yetzer Hara. Through Torah, one returns to kedushah, the source of his neshamah. Thus, watching the ant helps a person amass wisdom.
