It is well known that the government has been issuing harsh decrees against the chareidi public, causing it great difficulty and suffering. Some of these decrees have already been implemented
Let us keep in mind what the Chazon Ish once said, that Torah study is meant to be lived under stress and distress to begin with. He expressed it thus: "This is what Hashem desires." Hashem prefers that Torah be studied under duress and whoever lives such a life is beloved unto Him.
Our Sages reiterated this theme in many places throughout the gemara. For example, they commented on the verse, "False is charm and futile is beauty - a G-d-fearing woman is to praised." This refers to the generation of Rabbi Yehuda bar Ila'i where six Torah scholars would cover themselves with one tallis garment while studying Torah. Poverty was rampant. It was extreme, but within this scarcity, they persevered in their study. The words "a G-d-fearing woman shall be praised," were about them. This degree of devotion to Torah is the ultimate level desired and the most praiseworthy.
We find a similar comment of Chazal on the words, "Even (af) my wisdom stood me by," namely: what one studied under stress (af) was what sustained him. Study in stress, or deprivation, so to speak, or hardship, is the greatest merit of all.
It follows, thereby, that avreichim who persevere in their study through economic hardship, are very meritorious!
We know that ultimately, everything is in the power of Heaven, and whatever Hashem does is always for the best. If so, all of these harsh edicts passed on Torah scholars originate in Heaven, and all difficulties descending upon them are Divinely ordained for the good. The good is that it accords them more merit and greater prominence.
I also recall difficult times when Torah was studied through hardship. When I was studying in Yeshivas Lomzha during the World War, there was hardly anything to eat in the yeshiva. We made do with whatever we had and no one had any complaints. We studied diligently out of joy. There were many masmidim who did not utilize the afternoon break but persevered in their study from morning to evening nonstop, and eventually became renowned Torah scholars.
In previous generations, Torah scholars suffered extreme deprivation and poverty. Many lacked funds to buy necessary clothing and wore colored shirts instead of the more expensive white ones. Others would place a towel on their chair seats so as not to wear down their trousers which were the only pair they possessed altogether.
When anything wore out, including shoes, they were repaired with patches upon patches to make them last longer. Who could afford to buy new? They had many jokes about shoes with holes.
Food and sleeping accommodations were also problematic. There was no hot water for bathing; mattresses were so thin that one felt the metal framework underneath. There were no tables for writing and when I had to write a letter home, I held the paper on my lap and struggled with each word or had to go to the local post office where there was a shelf upon which one could write standing up.
But we were all content and happy with our lot. And that is how we studied! With bread and salt, and rationed water, as is written, "And fortunate will you be in this world!"
Today, everyone is more spoiled and pampered. Still, one should know that all material hardships are actually very meritorious. Suffering leads to success in Torah, as is written that Torah is only acquired through suffering.
Chazal say in Pirkei Ovos that whoever assumes the yoke of Torah is spared the yoke of government and of the responsibilities in the course of life. This is through the merit of the study, that is, the hardship involved in that choice. One dedicates all of his strength and vigor to that responsibility and goal in life. He indentures himself to it, so to speak.
If this is the case, Heaven sees to it that he is absolved of other cares and obligations, that of 'government' and civil duties, and those of derech eretz, that is economic sustenance. He is freed from those usual obligations because he has taken upon himself the yoke, or commitment, to Torah exclusively.
