About one who supports those who study the Torah it was said: It is a tree of life to those who grasp it, and its supporters are praiseworthy (Mishlei 3:18). The Sages famously said that the Torah places Zevulun before Yissachar because “He who causes others to do good is greater than the doer” (Bava Basra 9a), and it was Zevulun who would assist and support Yissachar so that he would be free to learn the Torah. The Sages also said that one who supports Torah scholars in their studies receives an equal share of their reward in the World to Come. Who can hear such a fantastic fact and not want to use his money – which on its own is but nothingness and vanity – to acquire delights for his soul and a good portion in the World to Come? The person has an opportunity to have the same portion as the Torah scholars who have no rest in this World, who hardly sleep and live a life of deprivation for the sake of Torah, while he, the wealthy person, lives in comfort yet through his support of those who learn Torah he is considered as though he sits and learns the same as the talmid chacham! What kind of person who was graced by Hashem with wealth would not do this? He would be called a simpleton and a fool! That would be like someone who has an opportunity to buy a pearl or a precious jewel for a trifle but he refuses to make the purchase. There is no greater fool and boor than that! And what will those wealthy people have to answer on their day of reckoning. They will attempt to answer that they did not have the time to learn Torah, but they will be shown what they spent on petty and worthless items while they overlooked using their means to support those who study Torah. They will be covered in shame and humiliation.
