Partnership between Benefit and Morality

Gemara: One who lends is greater than one who gives charity, and one who puts money "in the pot" [for others to invest and share the profits] is greater than all of them.


Ein Ayah: When contemplating the proper moral path to take, there is a feeling of discomfort, almost pain in the heart. This is due to the evil of the yetzer hara in one’s midst. For this reason, one associates morality with a heavy feeling that is the opposite of enjoyment.

This connection between morality and sadness is very detrimental to the expansion of goodness because people naturally like to be happy and experience enjoyable things and run away from that which causes pain. Therefore, it is wise policy to find ways to make morality more palatable to man and not be in situations in which the right thing causes him damage. The more one avoids losing from doing the right thing, the greater regard we have for the steps he needs to take. It is even a better thing if the person doing the right thing gains from it. This creates complete goodness, as the recipient of the kindness will not have to worry that his benefactor is suffering anguish, physical or spiritual.

One of the great moral deeds is charity. It is best if one lends money rather than give charity. He does not lose money, as it will return to him, and this allows it to have a positive impact on the masses. If he gives money to be invested, he gains, and there will be a uniting of the pursuit of doing good and doing good for himself, making it a lofty ethical act. He will thus be able to create a moral path without pain. The benefit will connect with the charity and they will exist without pain and in a manner in which his desire to help others will be sustainable.