Q&A: Do Not Be Overly Righteous
Do Not Be Overly Righteous
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Do you think there is anything wrong with excessive righteousness? Or excessive punctiliousness in observing the commandments?
Best regards,
Answer
It reminds me of the common expression “piggish capitalism.” When people present capitalism in contrast to socialism, they always talk about piggish capitalism. But everyone agrees that piggish capitalism is problematic. More generally, being piggish is not recommended. The question is not what you think about piggish capitalism, but what piggish capitalism actually is.
Excessive righteousness is certainly not good, since exaggeration in general is not recommended. But the important question is: what counts as excessive righteousness?
Discussion on Answer
You asked what I think about such a person. Tell me who the question is about.
Let’s say the moral saint you mentioned in column 240. Do you think such a person falls under the category of “excessive righteousness”?
I discussed several different types there. A person whose entire life is devoted to morality is a complete person, and there is certainly nothing objectionable about that kind of excess. It may not be required, but it is certainly not invalid. One could argue that there is justification for engaging in other things as well, but that does not mean that someone who dedicates his life to morality is excessive and objectionable. True, sometimes it is hard to live with a person like that. I elaborated more there.
So then, what is excessive righteousness? Maybe you have an example?