Love for Torah scholars is primarily in the heart, but one’s love should also be apparent in one’s actions. If Hashem has blessed you materially then support those who study Torah with all your heart and wealth. It also goes without saying that one must be very careful to not cause any distress to a Torah scholar and that no Torah scholar should have any reason to be upset with you. Our Sages thus said: “Warm yourself in the light of sages, but be careful with their embers that you not be burnt” (Avos 2:10).
And if the obligation to love any Torah scholar is so great, then all the more so if the Torah scholar is your own relative. In that case one must love him even more, and all his brothers and relatives are obligated to support him with all their might, so that he can be free to sit in study and Divine service. This is the family’s pride and glory and it also brings honor to their father who can have such satisfaction through his son the talmid chacham.
