LEARNING TORAH WHEN IT'S DIFFICULT
The Rambam (1) writes that one shouldn't think he will acquire Torah, wealth and honor. Rather, the way of the Torah is even having to eat bread with salt, and water in measure (2).
The mefarshim (3) explain, that ones not obligated to learn while starving and pressured for money. But you will never find someone with a wealth of Torah knowledge that isn't ready to be hungry and poor to continue learning Torah.
When the Jewish nation accepted the Torah, the Midrash (4) tells us that Hashem lifted Mount Sinai over our heads, and said, if you'll accept my Torah, good. But if not, this will be your burial spots!
This Midrash is initially confusing, considered we already accepted the Torah when the famous words "Na'aseh v'Nishma", we will commit ourselves to the Torah and continue to learn it!
Rather the Midrash says, the first acceptance was for the written Torah, which is comparatively small in size and easy to learn.
The Oral Torah is vast and very difficult to understand. The people who learn it are those who love Hashem with all their hearts, souls, and might!
Those who love money and pleasures will not be able to properly learn the Oral Torah.
Sources:
- Hilchot Talmid Torah Ch.3 H.6
- Pirkey Avot Ch.6
- Simlat Chaim Y"D Siman 504
- Tanchuma; Parshat Noach 58 Siman 30
