The Medrash (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 2:16) states: “In the past, ‘the perutah’ (livelihood) was commonly found, and men desired to hear words of halacha. Now that the perutah is not commonly found, they only desire to hear words of blessing and comfort."
Rav Noach of Kobrin zy”a (Sefer Birchas La’ad) explains that a desire to hear “words of halacha” means a will to hear how to follow in the ways of Hashem. When people had sufficient livelihood, their hearts and minds were clear and free to focus on finding the correct path to serve Hashem. In those times, tzadikim would speak to the masses solely about how to best serve Hashem. Now that livelihood is scarce and hard to come by, people are constantly busy and worried, and they have no clarity of mind to focus on finding the best way to serve Hashem. They only have enough presence of mind to hear words of comfort and ethical lessons, which strengthen their emunah and bitachon. Therefore, tzadikim in such times should solely speak about matters of emunah and bitachon in order to strengthen people in the areas they are capable of focusing on.
