Henry David Thoreau advised people not to work.
The Decalogue, commonly mistakenly called Ten Commandments, a title not in the Bible, is called Ten Statements in the Bible. This is the meaning of the word Decalogue. The title Ten Commandments is wrong because the Decalogue contains more than ten commands. Exodus 20:9 and 10 states. “You should work six days and do all your work. But the seventh day is Shabbat for God.”
Like the other sentences in the Decalogue, both sentences are obscure and need rabbinic interpretations.
Does verse 9 insist that people should work for six days, or does it only permit people to work?
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862, who died at age 44) disagreed with both possible interpretations. He argued in his book “Life Without Principle” that work is trivial and meaningless. The purpose of life, he believed, is not to work but to connect with nature and the universe. This connection, he argued, is of utmost importance, far more significant than any work. He advocated for a simpler, self-reliant lifestyle, where people spend time teaching themselves to rely only on themselves and not others.
He wrote, “Simplify, simplify.” He claimed that people go through life exhausted because they take on too many tasks. They bring unnecessary complexity to their lives and do not enjoy it. He advised reducing material possessions, living in nature, enjoying its beauty, and removing distractions. Less is more.
I disagree.
Maimonides (1138-1204) addressed the question, why does the Torah tell us that God tested people? First, he said in his Guide for the Perplexed 2:48 that when the Torah states God did something, it means it happened according to the laws of nature that God created or formed. Second, in 3:24, he explains that the “tests” are natural difficulties people must face and overcome to learn how to improve themselves, society, and the world. If something is easy, it is not only wrong; it wastes an opportunity to face difficulty, learn from it, and improve.
As indicated in Genesis 1:28, humans have been placed on earth to work from the very beginning of time.
I am a fan of Henry David Thoreau. He was an anti-materialist. I like aspects of Henry David Thoreau. He started the movement called the transcendentalist movement. I think the things I would pick about Thoreau that I do not like are different things than what you described. I like his transcendentalism but I do not like how he tried to maneuver transcendentalism away from spirituality. My opinion about work is very complex and nuanced. If you’re going to a factory all day and turning a nob, that has little meaning. But it is good for your body physically to work outside. I think it’s better to work outside than to sit inside all day. My grandfather said less prayer and more work. Work is another form of play.
We need to respect each other even if we disagree with the other’s idea, as long as there is no physical hurt produced by the idea.
Israel,
Do you disagree that we need to work?
We can just retire early and exercise and enjoy life as shabbath days?
I think people need to work. I still work at writing.
According to Hannah Arendt’s book “The Human Condition,” labor, work, and action are different categories of human activity. Labor refers to the necessary activities for survival, work refers to the creation of durable objects, and action refers to meaningful and public activities. This technical distinction is maybe helpful, with respect to your biblical critique of HD Thoreau, dear Rabbi Israel Drazin. Best: stephen
Work keeps at bay three great evils: boredom, vice, and need.
Good point. I like it.