Q&A: Self-Sacrifice
Self-Sacrifice
Question
Hello Rabbi, first of all thank you for the things you write, etc. As I understand it, the great virtue in giving up one’s life for the sanctification of God’s name is that, as a person, you gain nothing from it. The moment we gain some pleasure or anything like that, there is a point at which a person has a personal stake in it, and he is not doing it for the sake of the Holy One, blessed be He, but for his own sake. But if a person knows that when he gives up his life he will attain the level of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, etc., then we are back at that same point where a person gives up his life for himself. If so, then what is the virtue of sanctifying God’s name? Thank you.
Answer
First, it is not true that such self-sacrifice is devoid of value. Even when it is not done for its own sake, it is still an act of value. Second, you are making a logical mistake. The fact that a person knows he will reach a high level does not mean that he will necessarily do it in order to attain that level. Third, a high spiritual level is not an interest in the ordinary sense (as distinct from reward and the World to Come), and therefore acting for its sake is entirely an act done for its own sake.
See the introduction to Eglei Tal, where he distinguishes between Torah study for the sake of pleasure—which is not for its own sake—and study that is accompanied by pleasure—which is completely for its own sake.