Q&A: The Other Cheek
The Other Cheek
Question
Rabbi, in your opinion, is it moral to turn the other cheek? In other words, is that a good moral rule?
Answer
There is something highly admirable in it in terms of the character traits of the person being struck. But it is not right to conduct oneself that way in the world.
Indeed, see a more appropriate combination in my column on the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in South Africa.
Discussion on Answer
When you say that it is not right to conduct oneself that way in the world, do you mean on the national level? Because I was asking about the personal level; I’d be glad if you could explain 🙂
Let him offer his cheek to the one who strikes him; let him be sated with disgrace. (Lamentations 3:30)
Y.D.
Doesn’t the verse speak about offering one’s cheek to God? Meaning, when the one striking is God, then one should turn the other cheek?
I mean that even for a private individual it is not right to behave that way, because the sinner comes out gaining from it and will return to his violence. In terms of building the inner character of the person being struck, this is a virtue, but it is not right to conduct oneself that way because of the consequences for society.
Column 54.