A thought about work from Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Alter Rebbe:[1]
The verse (Tehillim 128:2) states: “If you eat the toil of your hands, you are praiseworthy, and it is good for you.” Additionally, the verse (Bereishit 3:19) states: “With the sweat of your face you shall eat bread.”
From here it is understood that what is necessitated is apathetic physical labor, and one should not involve their mind in corporeal matters.
An individual who puts their mind and mental faculties into their physical matters, lowers their spiritual abilities of wisdom, understanding and knowledge into lowly matters. It is akin to an individual bending their head.
A person—through this—is susceptible to fall even lower to the points that they have doubts in their faith.
[1] Likutei Torah, Devarim 63d
