והיינו דאמר אבדימי בר חמא בר דוסא מאי דכתיב (דברים ל, יב) לא בשמים היא ולא מעבר לים היא לא בשמים היא שאם בשמים היא אתה צריך לעלות אחריה ואם מעבר לים היא אתה צריך לעבור אחריה
This<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The deduction that it is necessary to resort to special efforts, such as the device of mnemotechnical symbols and the like, in order to acquire a knowledge of the Torah.');"><sup>1</sup></span> is in harmony with the following statement of R.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' So Bah, wanting in cur. edd.');"><sup>2</sup></span> Abdimi B'Hama B'Dosa:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' MS.M. R. Dimi b. Hisda.');"><sup>3</sup></span> What is the significance of the text: It is not in heaven, [that thou shouldst say: 'who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us'],<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Deut. XXX, 12.');"><sup>4</sup></span>
Mesilat Yesharim
It is what takes a person away from the service of G-d, for so many prayers are lost and so many mitzvot are neglected due to excessive preoccupation and much laboring after profit. How much more so regarding Torah study as our sages said (Eruvin 55a): "'it is not over the sea' (Devarim 30:13) - with those who travel over the seas for business".
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Orchot Tzadikim
It is written in the Torah, "It is not in heaven" (Deut. 30:12) and the meaning of this is : it is not to be found among those that are arrogant and consider themselves as high as heaven. "Neither is it beyond the sea" (Deut. 30:13), which means that it is not to be found among those who are constantly travelling on sea voyages (Erubin 55a). Therefore, our Sages, of blessed memory, said, "Nor can one who is engaged overmuch in business grow wise" (Aboth 2:6). And they said, "Engage less in business, but occupy yourself with the Torah" (Aboth 4:12).
