This weekend, we celebrate Labor Day. This is a holiday dedicated to the achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions all workers have made—be they white or blue collar—to the well-being of our country. We see a parallel in the Torah’s parsha of Nasso, where Hashem commands Moshe to take a census of the Gershon family. In that instance, Hashem says, “Gam heim—count them too.”
We know that the Kehos family carried the holy of holies. What did the Gershon family do? What was their job? We read that the work of the Gershon family was “laavod ulimaseh—to work and to shlep.” They did the behind the scenes, less glamorous work.
Rav Moshe Feinstein tells us that these extra words in the Torah, “count them too,” illustrates a very important concept. In life, there are different tasks that various people can do. Some handle the holy ark, while others engage in more behind the scenes work. Yet, Hashem tells us that the folks who may do the more mundane things are just as important. They count as well. And the reason that they count as well is because, in the end, those who do service—whether it’s a high profile job or a low profile job—enrich the community by providing their very necessary service. They should never feel discouraged because every role is significant and each person can contribute in their own unique way.
One of the most famous stories in the Talmud that emphasizes the value of every worker comes from the life of Hillel. The Talmud (Yoma 35b) recounts that Hillel was once so poor that he could not afford the entrance fee to the study hall. To hear the teachings, he climbed onto the roof of the building and listened through a skylight—despite the harsh cold and snow that eventually covered him. The next morning, Shammai and Avtalyon—the leading sages of the time—found him nearly frozen and brought him inside.
What is often overlooked is that Hillel—despite his immense poverty—worked hard every day as a woodcutter to support his family. His dedication to his work did not diminish his greatness in Torah. Rather, his ability to balance his daily labor with his spiritual pursuits made him even more revered. This story teaches us that even menial labor—when done with the right intention—is valuable and honorable in the eyes of Hashem.
Another noteworthy story involves Rabbi Akiva, one of the greatest sages of all time. Before he began his Torah journey, Rabbi Akiva was a shepherd—a humble and physically demanding profession. Despite his lowly beginnings, he eventually became a towering figure in Jewish learning.
The Talmud (Brachot 35b) discusses a debate between Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and other sages regarding the ideal way to live one’s life. Rabbi Shimon suggested that one should devote all their time to Torah study and trust that Hashem will provide for their needs. However, the other sages disagreed, arguing that a person must work to support themselves while also engaging in Torah study. The Talmud concludes that many tried to live according to Rabbi Shimon’s ideal but found that they could not maintain it, and therefore, the opinion of the sage—who advocated balancing work with Torah—became the accepted practice.
This passage reminds us that while Torah study is paramount, earning a livelihood is also a vital part of Jewish life. The sages understood that work is not merely a necessary evil, but a means through which one can serve Hashem and contribute to the community. While all workers count and all work is important, we also need to realize that all our work may not count for much without Hashem’s blessing. The Torah in parshas Eikev (8:17-18) reminds us not to think that it was only through our strength and wisdom that we make our “parnasa.” As Psalm 127 teaches us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
May Hashem bless all of us so that we can continue to make our efforts—whether blue or white collar—as viable and productive as ever. May we rise from strength to strength remembering that we all count—no matter what our job or profession might be. Finally, may Hashem bless our efforts so that we can accomplish all that we are meant to be.
Rabbi Dr. Avi Kuperberg is a forensic, clinical psychologist and a member of the American Psychology-Law Society. He is the coordinator of Bikur Cholim/Chesed at Congregation Torah Ohr in Boca Raton, Florida. He can be reached at [email protected].
