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The Talmud is very complicated, not every statement is a
law, sometimes it is a commentary or the opinion of a certain Rabbi, sometimes
a stipulation or refutation, however the quotes below should give you a good
idea about Talmudic reasoning on certain issues.
Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Raba of the Talmud agree, according
to some Jews “no occupation is inferior to that of agricultural labour”.
The Talmud speaks of how the non-Jews (Gentiles) of the trading city of
Tyre who were once craftsmen and mariners but were brought down to this lowly
profession. Rather than till the earth, the Rabbis of the Talmud
encourage Jews to become businessmen so that they may feast on meat and wine
everyday rather than vegetables.
AGRICULTURE THE MOST INFERIOR PROFESSION
R. Eleazar further stated: There will be a time when all
craftsmen will take up agriculture (they shall stand upon the land); [18] for
it is said, And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of
the sea, shall come down from their ships; they shall stand upon the land(Ezek.
XXVII, 29. – referring to the Gentiles of Tyre ).[19]
R. Eleazar further stated: No (lit. “not to thee”) [20]
occupation is inferior to that of agricultural labour; for it is said, And they
shall come down.
R. Eleazar once saw a plot of land that was ploughed across
its width (Apparently as a measure of economy). [22] ‘Wert thou to be ploughed
along thy length also’ (I.e., were it to be ploughed ever so many times),[23]
he remarked, ‘engaging in business would still be more profitable’. Rab once
entered among growing ears of corn. Seeing that they were swaying he called out
to them, ‘Swing as you will, engaging in business brings more profit than you
can do’.
Raba said: A hundred zuz in business means meat and wine
every day; a hundred zuz in land, only salt and vegetables. Furthermore it
causes him to sleep on the ground and embroils him in strife. (Babylonian
Talmud, Yebamouth 63a)
FOOTNOTE 18: Lit., ‘they shall stand upon the land’.
FOOTNOTE 19: Ezek. XXVII, 29.
FOOTNOTE 20: Lit., ‘not to thee’.
FOOTNOTE 22: Apparently as a measure of economy.
FOOTNOTE 23: I.e., were it to be ploughed ever so many times.
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