Choosing a Profession

אם ירצה ה׳

shiur by Rav Dabid Touitou chlita

Choosing a profession is one of the most significant decisions in life, a path that, according to Torah law, can lead one "towards the Gan Eden [Garden of Eden] or towards the Ginam [Gehinom/hell]". This decision is not as simple as it may seem, as it involves navigating the complex dimensions of work within Judaism.

The goal is to choose professions that bring G'd pride and enhance the world with Torah and its morality. Every step of our professional life should be guided by Jewish law, ensuring our path leads us towards Gan Eden.

The Paradox of Work in Judaism

In Jewish thought, work carries two seemingly contradictory dimensions:

• A Curse and a Need: Work is viewed as a consequence of the original sin, stemming from the ten curses G'd brought upon man, woman, the serpent, and the earth (totaling 39 curses), which created the "needs of work". Therefore, working is a continuous struggle. Crucially, it is not the act of working itself that guarantees sustenance; "the money will depend on two things: your actions and your merits". G'd provides parnasa (livelihood), and your actions can either increase or decrease it.

• A Mitzvah and Partnership with G'd: Despite its origin in a curse, work is also considered a mitzvah (commandment). By working, an individual "participates in the construction of the world" and becomes an "associate of G'd in this world". Rabbi Akiva, when asked by the emperor Turnus Rufus whether the work of man or the work of G'd was better, unhesitatingly replied, "the work of man". He explained that while G'd created wheat, it is man who transforms it into bread or cake, thus completing G'd's creation. The ultimate goal, from G'd's humble perspective, is for everyone to become partners with Him.

Annulling the Curse of Work

Interestingly, the curse of working can be annulled by annulling the curse placed upon the woman. If a man treats his wife as a "queen" and an "ally" or "associate" rather than solely expecting her to serve him, his own curse of work is automatically annulled. A woman desires a charismatic, intelligent, and humble man who uplifts others instead of criticizing. The "smile of your wife" is key to an abundant mazal (luck).

The Purpose and Quality of Work

It is vital to understand that the true purpose of work is "to work to live," not to "live to work". The measure of a blessed profession is not the money earned, but the quality of life one has with their family and children. If work consumes all your time, leaving no room for family or Torah study, it is problematic. It's essential to manage time well, especially in the age of mobile phones that can distract from family and spiritual pursuits.

Choosing a Profession According to Torah Law (Halacha)

Parents are obligated to teach their children a profession, but it must be one that leads them towards Gan Eden and prevents them from engaging in theft. All professions must be "imprinted with kedusha (holiness)". Many professions have complex or outright forbidden halachot associated with them.

Here are examples of professions and the halachic considerations discussed:

• Male Gynecologist: Generally forbidden for a man as it involves looking at women's intimate areas, which is considered assur (forbidden). While exceptions may exist in urgent medical need where no female alternative is available and the husband is present, a person who truly wishes to serve G'd cannot be a gynecologist.
• Lifeguard (Male): Forbidden for men at pools where women are immodestly dressed (e.g., in swimsuits), as it leads to forbidden gazes. Saving lives does not supersede this prohibition.
• Real Estate Agent: Permitted, but comes with significant risks of gezeldad (stealing the mind/deception). Examples include misrepresenting a property's lighting or failing to disclose crucial information like land ownership (tabot in Israel). Requires profound emuna shleima (complete faith) and yirat shamayim (fear of Heaven).
• Stock Broker/Investment Banker: Forbidden if it involves "juggling" client money or using it for personal gain without explicit authorization, even if the money is later returned (gezeldamur). One must treat a client's money with the same care as their own.
• Secretary: Permitted, but beware of "stealing time" (gezel) by doing personal activities (like long phone calls) while being paid for work.
• Hairdresser: Permitted for men to cut men's hair, and women for women's hair. However, a man cannot style a woman's hair. Specific actions like using a blade on sideburns or a man dyeing his hair are forbidden due to halachic prohibitions (e.g., "not wearing a woman's garment").
• Telemarketer/Advertising: Strictly forbidden if one knows for certain that they are defrauding people (e.g., making false claims about product benefits or distribution numbers). The core principle of "do not do to others what you would not want done to you" applies strongly here.
• Singer/Performer:
  • Female Singers: A woman cannot sing in front of men, even if separated by a mechitzah (partition), because her voice (kol isha) is considered an intimate and potentially enticing sound.
  • Male Singers/DJ: A man can sing in front of men, provided the audience is strictly separated. It is forbidden for a singer or DJ to perform at events where men and women dance together, as this encourages promiscuity and is likened to the sin of the Golden Calf.
• Influencer: Considered one of the riskiest professions because it often involves promoting products one finds "abject" for money, encouraging blind following, and contributing to un-Torah values. It goes against the unique identity G'd gave each person.
• Clothing Store Owner/Couturier/Stylist: Forbidden to sell or create immodest clothing (e.g., completely open dresses, shorts, revealing tops) that encourage pritzut (immodesty). The seller is held responsible for the sins committed by those who wear such garments. However, selling conventional clothing that can be worn modestly is permitted.
• Photographer: Forbidden if the work involves photographing immodestly dressed individuals or mixed dancing at events, as this leads to forbidden gazes. A religious photographer in the fashion industry even did teshuva and found greater financial success photographing nature.
• Non-Kosher Restaurant Owner/Worker: Forbidden for a Jew to open a non-kosher restaurant due to prohibitions like bishul akum (food cooked by a non-Jew), handling yayin nesech (wine associated with idolatry), and profiting from forbidden foods (e.g., cooking meat and milk together). Even working as a waiter is generally prohibited, except in extreme, temporary circumstances.
• Seller of Forbidden Objects: Forbidden to sell items that could lead to sin, such as mobile phones pre-loaded with incestuous sites or content that promotes debauchery.
• Lawyer (for conflicts between Jews): A Jew is obligated to go to a Bet Din (rabbinical court) to resolve conflicts with another Jew, not a secular court. Taking a case to a secular court without Bet Din permission is akin to disrespecting the Torah. Lawyers for criminal cases or notary work (like house purchases) are permitted. If one party refuses to go to Bet Din, the Dayan (rabbinical judge) may grant permission to proceed in a secular court.
• Baker: Even a baker must adhere to specific halachot, such as separating challah from dough and ensuring bishul Yisrael (Jewish cooking) standards are met, particularly for Sefaradim.
• Torah Teacher: Teaching Torah to a mixed audience (men and women) is generally not permitted for men, as men teach men and women teach women. Special authorization from a rabbi is required for exceptions.

Supporting Torah Scholars

It is important to clarify that living off charity is not the Rambam's view of Torah study. Supporting a Torah scholar is a "scholarship" (milga), not tzedakah (charity), and enables those dedicated to learning to do so without being dependent on others.