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.