Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ttidcb.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!dcdwest!ittvax!decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!seismo!cmcl2!philabs!ttidca!ttidcb!josephs From: josephs@ttidcb.UUCP (Bill Josephs) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Joseph and self-righteousness Message-ID: <228@ttidcb.UUCP> Date: Fri, 21-Dec-84 12:53:49 EST Article-I.D.: ttidcb.228 Posted: Fri Dec 21 12:53:49 1984 Date-Received: Mon, 24-Dec-84 02:44:28 EST Organization: TTI, Santa Monica, CA. Lines: 18 In synagogue last Saturday, during a discussion of the Torah reading (about Joseph), the rabbi presented a commentary which seemed to imply that one of Joseph's mistakes was in being too good; not because it was wrong to be good but because it was wrong to be or do anything which could embarrass someone else by comparison -- in this case, his brothers. We did not really discuss this concept other than in terms of self righteousness, but it started me thinking: 1. I don't remember who wrote the commentary -- is anyone out there familiar with it or with the concept? 2. How far does this idea go -- is it not acceptable to give too nice a present if one's brothers and sisters can't afford one for fear of making them 'look bad' by comparison. What about other endeavors which might cause envy or jealousy in oth- ers who might suffer by comparison.