HOW CAN YOU BE A GOOD PERSON?

Why is it that of all the religious groups in Israel, Chabad seems to be the most accepted by the non-religious?

The Rebbe is revered by all Jews, and Chabadniks seem to reach everywhere. What is unique about them?

There was a very sharp thinker who lived in 19th-century Poland called Rabbi Mendel of Kotzk. Among his profound witticisms was the following pearl.

If you are religious, you are wicked.

If you're intelligent, you're a heretic.

If you're kind, you're a fool.

But if you're all three, now that's a good person.

This pithy little riddle summarizes the highest ideals of Judaism and warns of the pitfalls that lurk on the path of those who try to discover the truth.

Being religious, being a thinker, or being kind all sound wonderful. But each one in isolation comes with a risk.

People who are 'religious' can sometimes miss the point. Righteousness can turn into self-righteousness, care for G-d may come at the expense of care for humanity, and religion can be used as a fire to burn rather than a light to illuminate. Some of the greatest evils in history have been done in the name of religion. If you only care about religious rituals, you are wicked.

But then there are the intellectuals, who reject faith in favor of clear thinking. They become so impressed with their brilliance, so stuck in their minds that they see logic as the ultimate arbiter of truth. Anything that can't be explained, can't exist. I think it, therefore it is. These people are too smart for G-d. But intellect without absolute morality can rationalize the worst evil. Once you deny G-d, there is no good and evil. If you are a thinker who relies on logic alone, you are a heretic. The proof of that is the Germans from a smart and cultural nation came out as the worst murderers in history.

So if religiosity can lead to wickedness, and intelligence can lead to heresy, what possible danger is there in being kind? Well, often the most goodhearted people are also the most naïve. They fall for every scam, give in to every request, allow themselves to be walked all over, and never stand up to those who do wrong. Ultimately, it is the overly kind person who allows evil to prosper, because all evil needs to succeed is for good people to do nothing. If you are too kind to say no, you are a fool.

But someone who has all three - religious piety, clear logical thinking, and gentle kindheartedness - now is a complete person. Each trait enhances the others. Their righteousness will be thoughtful and sensitive. Their thinking will be infused with the humble recognition that not all can be known. And their kindness will be directed to worthy recipients. They can love those who differ from them, without compromising their own strongly held positions. They can question and explore without losing their firm faith. And they can be tough in fighting evil, all the while maintaining their warmth and positivity.

Many people have mastered this balance. But I know of none who achieved this better than the Rebbe. He was an extremist in all three qualities, and in him, they were not in conflict, but a seamless oneness that together formed a uniquely wise, empathetic, and pious human being. This is why the Rebbe, and his students can connect with everyone, even those with opposing opinions, without diluting their principles. 

The Rebbe didn't keep his approach secret. He blessed us with volumes and volumes of his teachings, every page of which is saturated with those three powerful traits: profound piety, deep thought, and boundless love. The very traits that Israel and the Jewish people need now more than ever.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yoseph Geisinsky