Realize Their Guilt

It shall be that when he [realizes his] sin and incurs guilt.

וְהָיָה֮ כִּֽי־יֶחֱטָ֣א וְאָשֵׁם֒ וְהֵשִׁ֨יב אֶת־הַגְּזֵלָ֜ה

We have leaders who are acting abhorrently. Yet, they think they are doing the right thing, impervious to correction or critique. No screaming at Town Hall meetings or pundits pontificating on MSNBC, will change their minds. These potentates won’t suddenly wake up and realize their guilt. Still, if nothing else, we can draw lessons from their behavior and strive to be better people ourselves.

Judaism teaches that righteousness and humility must be carefully balanced, for unchecked righteousness can lead to dangerous self-justification, while unchecked irreverence can lead to moral decay. At a time when despotic leadership thrives on ego and domination, understanding this balance is more critical than ever.

At the outset of Leviticus, the Torah introduces a variety of sin offerings, including those for inadvertent sins. The concept of inadvertent sin suggests that individuals, upon reflection, may recognize their misdeeds and seek atonement. However, reality shows that many bad actors never acknowledge their wrongdoing. They justify their actions, believing they are in the right regardless of the harm they cause—financially, physically, or emotionally.

All individuals are prone to rationalizing their behavior, excusing their actions with claims of entitlement, grievance, or superiority. Such justifications lead to broken promises, betrayals, and injustices, all masked as righteousness. This self-deception is exacerbated when leaders elevate themselves above reproach, acting without humility or self-doubt.

Jewish tradition provides a corrective to this moral peril. The Talmud teaches that each person should view themselves as equally poised between innocence and guilt (Kiddushin 40b). A single good deed can tip the balance toward righteousness, while a single transgression can tip it toward sin. This mindset cultivates humility and moral vigilance. Furthermore, the Talmud warns, “Even if the entire world tells you that you are righteous, view yourself as wicked” (Niddah 30b). This is not to promote self-loathing but to guard against arrogance and moral complacency.

Believing oneself entirely righteous can lead to disregard for others and a dangerous substitution of personal judgment for ethical law. On the other hand, seeing oneself as entirely flawed can lead to despair and inaction. The Jewish ideal is a middle path—recognizing one’s imperfections while striving for goodness.

True righteousness lies not in an unshakable belief in one’s own moral infallibility but in the ongoing effort to be self-aware, to correct one’s misdeeds, and to contribute positively to the world. By resisting the extremes of self-righteousness and moral defeatism, we uphold the balance essential for a just and compassionate society.

Rabbi Evan J. Krame