The need to work for a living:[1] It states in Scripture[2] that “Ki Hashem Elokecha Beirachicha Bechol Maaseh Yadecha/G-d will bless you and all of your actions” Rebbe Eliezer the son of Yaakov states that the end of the verse is teaching us that to receive G-d’s blessing it does not suffice for one to sit and do nothing, and rather if one makes effort then he is blessed, and if not then he is not blessed.[3] Likewise, the verse[4] states “Uveirachicha Hashem Elokecha Bechal Asher Taaseh/And G-d will bless you in all that you do.” The Sifri[5] states that from here we learn the foundation, that it is necessary for one to work and place physical effort into those matters that he places his trust in G-d, in order so the blessing of G-d have the receptacle to which it can befall. Accordingly, one is required to work for a living and cannot just relax on his couch and wait for money to come from the heavens.

[1] See Devarim 2:7 and 15:18; Rebbe Yishmael in Brachos 35b; Sifri Devarim 15:18; Midrash Socher Tov Tehillim Mizmor 23; Midrash Tehillim 136:29; Chovos Halevavos Shaar Habitachon 3 Hakdama Chamishis and Chapter 4; Chapters 54 and 25; Mesilas Yesharim 21; Likkutei Torah Parshas Ki Seitzei p. 37 “The blessing is drawn specifically within a Keli…in contrast to doing nothing for Parnasa in which case he will not draw down anything”; Likkutei Torah Sukkos 1^st Mamar; Derech Mitzvosecha Mitzvas Tiglachas Metzora p. 212 “It is understood why a person must be involved in business in order to make an income, as although man is judged daily regarding his sustenance, nonetheless, if he does not involve himself in business he will not have anything, as was stated by Rebbe Yishmael that one must act in the ways of the world, and even Rashbi who argued on him, only argued for the sake of the person achieving the Mitzvah of Yedias Hatorah. However, one who already fulfilled this mitzvah, although he must study Torah day and night, nonetheless, he must also be involved in making himself a living. Even if man prays to God that He send him his sustenance from the supernal kindness that was agreed upon him on Yom Kippur, nonetheless, this does not suffice if he does not work and do business to prepare a garment into which this supernal kindness will become invested.” And p. 213 “Even if man prays to God that He send him his sustenance from the supernal kindness that was agreed upon him on Yom Kippur, nonetheless, this does not suffice if he does not work and do business to prepare a garment into which this supernal kindness will become invested.” And p. 214 “On this the verse states that God will bless you in all that you do, as if one does not prepare a garment than the supernal kindness will not be drawn below, and although it will be saved for him for spiritual sustenance in the world to come, nonetheless, he will have a lack of food and he will be punished for this being that he is stealing from his soul.”; Kuntrus Umayan 25; Igros Kodesh Rayatz 3 p. 76 in name of Baal Shem Tov “when a person is challenged with a certain suffering G-d forbid, according to Torah he must do whatever he can to solve, and together with that to also trust in G-d that He will certainly help him”; Likkutei Sichos Vol. 15 p. 486; Vol. 16 p. 176; Vol. 18 p. 295 “According to Torah one must make a natural vessel and may not rely on a miracle.”; Vol. 26 p. 116 [Hebrew]; 36 Sicha 1 “Together with one’s absolute faith and trust in G-d he must also exert all physical options available to him, to help save him from his worries. As is well known, there is no contradiction between trusting in G-d and doing one’s Hishtadlus of finding natural ways of solving his predicament.”; Igros Kodesh 2:179 “it is obvious that in general aside for trust, one must also make a vessel”; Even Yisrael Derush 3:2; Michtav Meliyahu Vol. 1 Inyanei Emuna Ubitachon; Bitachon Vehistadlus Chapter 9

Other opinions: Some learn that absolute Bitachon requires one to throw all of this trust onto G-d and not to place any effort to try to solve it. [Ramban regarding doctors; Rashbi in Brachos 35b regarding Parnasa versus Torah study; See Even Yisrael Derush 3:2; Michtav Meliyahu Vol. 1 Inyanei Emuna Ubitachon] However, see Derech Mitzvosecha Mitzvas Tiglachas Metzora p. 212 that Rashbi ibid is not truly arguing “even Rashbi who argued on him, only argued for the sake of the person achieving the Mitzvah of Yedias Hatorah. However, one who already fulfilled this mitzvah, although he must study Torah day and night, nonetheless, he must also be involved in making himself a living.

[2] Devarim 2:7

[3] Midrash Socher Tov Tehillim Mizmor 23

[4] Riei 15:18

[5] Sifri Devarim 15:18 “one may think that he can sit and do nothing, hence we are taught that he must do an action”, brought in Igros Kodesh 2:179 and Likkutei Sichos Vol. 18 p. 295