“The whole is nourished by my son Hanina, and Hanina my son suffices himself with 102 carobs [meager food] from one eve of Shabbat [Sabbath] to another.”
In the work, we should interpret that one who walks on the path of the Creator, during the work, which is called “weekdays,” as in “He who did not toil on the eve of Shabbat,” it is enough for him to feel the taste of carobs. He will rest from his work. And yet, through his labor, when he feels no taste in his work, he wants only the discernment of carobs.
It is known that if “You labored but did not find, do not believe” (Megillah 6b). At that time, he wants that through his work and labor, abundance and blessing will extend to the entire world, meaning that all the vitality and attainments of the light of Torah will reach the whole world.
This is the meaning of the words, “The whole is nourished by my son Hanina” (Taanit 24b). Why does he do so? It is because he has the grace of Kedusha [holiness], after which he is called Hanina, from the word Hen [grace]. At that time, he is rewarded with the quality of Shabbat. Hence, one who did not toil in the eve of Shabbat, what will he eat on Shabbat?
We could ask, If Hanina extended the light of Torah to the entire world, why are they not perceiving the light of pleasure, and only Hanina was rewarded with the quality of Shabbat? It is because they haven’t the Kelim [vessels] to receive, for the labor is the correction, the making of the Kelim into which the lights pour.
It was said about this (Avoda Zara 3a), “He who did not toil on the eve of Shabbat, what will he eat on Shabbat?” Although Hanina extended the light of Shabbat to the entire world, they do not have the Kelim in which to receive. Nevertheless, the servant of the Creator himself must walk on the path of not receiving anything, and this is called “carobs.”