Musar for Eruvin 43:1
שמשכים ומעריב עליהן לבית המדרש רבה אמר במי שמשחיר פניו עליהן כעורב
who for their sake rises early [to go] to, and remains late in the evening [before returning home from] the schoolhouse.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The Heb. for 'black' is similar to that for 'early' and that for 'raven' to that for 'evening' .');"><sup>1</sup></span> Rabbah explained: [You find these only] with him who for their sake blackens his face like a raven.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Suffers deprivation and hunger for the sake of his studies. Cf. previous note.');"><sup>2</sup></span>
Mesilat Yesharim
The means that lead a person to this goal are the commandments which the blessed G-d commanded to us. The place of the performance of these commandments is only in this world. Therefore, man was first placed in this world so that through these means prepared for him here, he will be able to reach the place prepared for him, namely, the World to Come, there to be sated with the good which he acquired through these means. This is what our sages of blessed memory said "today to do them, and tomorrow to receive their reward" (Eruvin 22:1).
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