If the Israelites follow in the way of God, He will bless them and their produce. But if not, they will be punished with drought and demise. The Sages disagree concerning the proper relationship between engaging in Torah study and engaging in labor, and whether the statement: “You will gather your grain, and your wine, and your oil,” is a blessing or not.

The Sages taught: What is the meaning of what the verse states: “And you shall gather your grain” (Deuteronomy 11:14)? Because it is stated: “This Torah shall not depart from your mouths” (Joshua 1:8) [which seems to contradict the first verse], I might have thought that these matters [in the latter verse] are to be understood as they are written, and one may engage in nothing other than Torah study, as the verse continues: “And you shall ponder it day and night.” Therefore, the verse states: “And you shall gather your grain”; assume in their regard the way of the world, and perform labor as well. This is the statement of Rabbi Yishmael.

Rabbi Shimon ben Yohai says: Is it possible for a person to plow in the plowing season, and sow in the sowing season, and harvest in the harvest season, and thresh in the threshing season, and winnow when it is windy; what will become of Torah? There will be no time to study it. The verse teaches that when Israel performs God’s will, their work is performed by others, as it is stated: “And strangers will stand and feed your flocks (Isaiah 61:5). When Israel does not perform God’s will, their work is performed by them, as it is stated: “And you shall gather your grain.” Moreover, others’ work will be performed by them, as it is stated: “You shall serve your enemy” (Deuteronomy 28:48).

Abaye said: Many have acted in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yishmael and were successful in both Torah study and their labor. Many have acted in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon ben Yohai and were not successful in engaging in Torah study not accompanied by labor. (Berakhot 35b)