112. Exemptions for Torah Scholars' Honor

Talmud Torah 6:10

Torah scholars should not participate in any community construction projects like building or digging because this will cause their esteem to be lowered in the eyes of the masses. They should not be solicited to contribute funds towards building the city wall, fixing the gates, paying the watchmen, etc. This also applies to taking up a collection in order to send a gift to the king. They are likewise not required to pay taxes, neither one levied on the whole city nor one levied on each individual. Hosea 8:10 says, “Though they will give among the nations, I will now gather them. Soon they will be released from the burden of the king and his ministers.” If a Torah scholar has merchandise to sell, he has priority to sell his first; no other vendor in the marketplace may sell before him. Similarly, if he has a court case and is standing waiting among other litigants, he is given priority and permitted to sit.

Talmud Torah 6:11

It is a grave sin to disgrace or to hate Torah scholars. Jerusalem was not destroyed until the residents disgraced the scholars, as we see from II Chronicles 36:16, “They mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets.” In other words, they scorned those who taught God’s words. Similarly, Leviticus 26:16 tells us, “If you despise My statutes” meaning “If you despise those who teach My statutes.” Whoever disgraces Torah scholars has no share in the Next World as one of those who “scorn the word of God” (see Numbers 15:31).