Q&A: Gratitude for an Act Done מתוך a Self-Interested Motive
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Gratitude for an Act Done from a Self-Interested Motive
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I seem to remember that in the past you said that one should express gratitude for an act done from a self-interested motive, because other motives that are not self-interested are probably involved as well. I wanted to ask whether one should still express gratitude in a case where the self-interested motive is sufficient and necessary for carrying out the act, while the other motives are neither sufficient nor necessary for carrying it out.
Best regards,
Answer
It’s a complex issue. On the face of it, in the sense of moral gratitude there is no obligation in such a situation. But in the sense of ontological gratitude, there is. See my article, which distinguishes between these two.
It should be added that if I benefited from you without your intending to benefit me, there is sometimes grounds for a claim against me for the benefit I received (“he thereby saves an expense”). In that sense, there can be an obligation of gratitude that is really the product of the benefit I derived from you, even if it came from some other motive.