When making career decisions, how much money a job pays is always high on the list. And it makes sense — if not for the need for money, why would we work at all? The Torah agrees that financial independence is a top priority. Moshe Rabbeinu taught, “לעולם ישכיר אדם עצמו לעבודה זרה, ואל יצטרך לבריות” A person should take work — even for Avoda Zara! — rather than rely on others financially.
The Gemara (Baba Basra 110a) tells a story of how Moshe’s grandson (see Yerushalmi Brachos 64) understood this literally and took a job working for an Avoda Zara to earn his living. David HaMelech responded that this was a misunderstanding: Moshe never meant literal Avoda Zara, but rather “Avoda Zara lo” – work that is foreign to him, meaning a job that does not naturally fit his skills or nature should still be taken to avoid dependence on others. Simply put, financial independence comes first, even if the work isn’t your ideal fit.
But that’s only the starting point. The Maharam Shif explains that when a person has options, choosing work solely for money while ignoring the talents Hashem gave him misses the Torah’s ideal. Work is more than a source of income — it is a personal shlichus. Financial independence is the starting point; expressing our unique strengths is the ideal.
A worthwhile question to ask ourselves is: If my income were guaranteed, what kind of work would allow me to express the strengths Hashem gave me?
That doesn’t mean chasing a dream job while being financially irresponsible. It means recognizing that once our financial needs are met, the Torah encourages us to seek work that expresses the unique gifts Hashem planted within us. The first step isn’t finding a different job, it’s discovering more ways to express the strengths Hashem gave you within the job you have today.
Rabbi Yehoshua Gerzi and R’ Tzvi Broker run the Work Inspired chabura, offering a practical Torah-based framework to help Yidden build a healthier, more balanced approach to parnassa, with focus on simcha, fulfillment, and purpose in work. Learn more at https://workinspiredcourse.com
Take It to Go!
- Notice Your Strengths
Ask yourself:
- What are three of my strongest talents or interests?
- Where do I use them at work?
- How can I spend a little more of my day using them?
- Before You Use Your Strengths
Before starting a task, pause for a second and think:
“Thank You, Hashem, for allowing me to express my shlichus through the strengths You gave me.”
Then quickly connect it to what you’re about to do:
- Spreadsheet ’ problem-solve and gain clarity
- Sales call ’ communicate clearly and connect
- Meeting ’ lead and bring people together
- Fixing something ’ use my hands to repair and build
- Creating content ’ express ideas and creativity
- Database work ’ think logically and bring structure
- Coaching ’ understand people and help them grow
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 97.
