charliehall: He got lots of support for the idea from frum academics like me, but no rosh yeshiva signed on
And I think here is where the dichotomy between us would become apparent. I would have said, if those with da’as Torah have a problem with this idea, there must be something wrong with it that I as someone without da’as Torah don’t understand. While you seem to be implying that you feel your opinion can hold weight against Roshei Yeshivah.
yytz: In Eretz Yisroel they call it “Torasan Umanusan”. Many mikvaos have separate prices for those whose trade is Torah. So I guess their fathers have taught them a trade. Also please see Siman 116 of Igros Moshe Y”D chelek beis here:
http://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=919&st=&pgnum=188
I don’t think that the professions of those you mention (maybe with the exception of the Rambam), proves that one needs to have a profession. Only that they felt that they themselves had no recourse in order to support their families. Once they were in that position they chose a profession where they can perform chesed at the same time. The question is, were the Ramban here today in our society of kollelim, would he still choose to engage in a profession? Would you want him to?