Regarding the importance of supporting Torah scholars, our Sages recount that Rabbi Meir earned three selas every week. One sela he would spend on food and drink, one on clothing and with one he would support Torah scholars. His students asked him: “What will you leave for your children after you pass away?” He answered them: “If they are righteous, then [there is no concern,] for it is written, And I have not seen a righteous man forsaken; but if not, I do not wish to bequeath money to those who hate Hashem.
The Midrash further teaches that even if a person studied Torah, taught it and practiced it – still, if he could have supported Torah scholars yet failed to do so, he is included among those who are cursed is one who does not uphold the words of this Torah. But a person who due to the pressure of earning a livelihood did not have a chance to study and keep the Torah, nor did he really have any extra money to give for support of Torah scholars, and despite that did support Torah scholars, then he is included among those who are “blessed who upholds the words of this Torah.” A person who does have a comfortable livelihood should learn from this that it is only more so that he should support those who study Torah, and that way he will be among those who are “blessed who upholds the words of this Torah.”
