By Rabbi Mordechai Raizman

Parshas Bechukosai begins with the statement; "if you will follow my decrees..." Rashi comments that the word "Follow" in this verse means, that you must toil in the study and observance of Torah in order to be successful. The emphasis is on toil, effort, and not on accomplishment. The Gemarah in Brachos says; "We toil and they toil, we toil and receive reward, they toil and don't receive reward." ("They" refers to those who toil only in material pursuits for the purpose of material gain, rather than in observance of the Torah).

Is this really true? Surely one who toils in pursuit of money earns wages for what he does? The difference is this. One who toils and labors to fix something, a tailor for instance, will be paid by his client upon completion of his work. But what if he tried, but was unsuccessful. Would he be compensated then? Certainly not. On the other hand, one who toils in the study of Torah, even if he doesn't fully understand what he's learning, is rewarded for the effort he put forth in trying to attain understanding. It's not always easy to understand all of the subtleties of the Torah. The Torah tells us even if you don't, every bit of effort counts.