LABOUR (rIt.6n, trzz, or the exercise of the limbs, both for obtaining subsistence and for the benefit of health, was ordained by God as soon as man was created. We are told that even before his fall Adam was to work in Paradise (Gen. ii. 5, 15). After the fall, however, pain and exhaus tion were, as a consequence of sin, to be connected with the labour which from the beginning was designed to be a pleasant pastime and healthy exercise iii. 19). lt is, therefore, the pro stration of strength, wherewith is also connected the temporary incapacity of sharing in the enjoy ments of life, and not labour itself, which consti tutes the curse pronounced on the fallen man. Hence we find that, in primitive times, manual labour was neither regarded as degrading nor con fined to a certain class of society, but was more or less prosecuted by all. It was enjoined on all Israelites as a sacred duty in tbe fourth command ment (Exod. xx. 9 ; Deut. v. 13) ; and the Bible entertains so high a respect for the diligent and skilful labourer, that we are told in Prov. xxii. 29, Seest thou a man skilled in his work, he shall stand before kings ' (comp. also ibid., x. 4; Xii. 24, 27). Among the beautiful features which grace an excellent house-wife, it is prominently set forth that she worketh willingly. with her own hands ' (Pray. xxxi. 13). With such an honourable regard for labour, it is not to be wondered at that when Nebuchadnezzar carried the Jews away into captivity, he found among them a thousand crafts men and smiths (2 Kings xxiv. 14-1[6; Jer. xxix. 2). The ancient Rabbins, too, regarded manual labour as most honourable, and urged it upon every one as a duty ; as may be seen front the following say- ings in the Talmud :—` He who does not teach his son a craft is, as it were, bringing him up to robbery ' (Chofin, 105). Labour is greatly to be
prized ; for it elevates the labourer, and maintains him' (Chaziga, 5 ; Nea'arim 49, b; b'aba Bathra Ito, a). To inculcate the dignity of all honest labour, however low the work might seem, the Talmud relates the following story : A man named Simon, whose business it was to clean the pits and reservoirs, said once to the celebrated R. Jochanan b. Zakkai (flor. 3o B.c.) [EoucATioNj, I am as great as you arc, and accomplish as rnuch as you. How so ? the Rabbi asked modestly. Behold, you make public affairs your business, and my laboms too are devoted to the public benefit ; I clean the pits, the wells, and the cisterns, in order that you may be able to recommend the inquirer such and such a pit for baptisms, and such and such a well for drinking. Truly you are right, said the Rabbi, for it is better to be attentive than to have to pronounce fools guilty of a sacrifice, for they know not to do evil ' (11Iidrash Rabbi on Ecclesiastes iv. 17, p. 95). Hence the greatest Jewish Rabbins learned a craft, and laboured with their own hands for maintenance [EDucATIoN]. The great Apostle of the Gentiles honoured and sanctified labour by engaging in it with his own hands ; and he could boast that lie worked hard day and night for maintenance, even when a preacher of the gospel, rather than be dependent upon any one (2 COT. Xii. 13, I4 ; I Thess. 9). He could therefore teach others, by example, how to labour with their hands, and to use the wages of labour for holy purposes (Acts xx. 33-35 ; Thess. iv. rt, 12). For the different kinds of labour in which the Hebrews were engaged, see articles