Doing Well by Doing Good

Not long ago, the conventional belief was that profit and corporate social responsibility were mutually exclusive pursuits. The notion that a company could boost its bottom line while contributing positively to society was rarely entertained by business leaders.

Today, however, advanced technologies and streamlined processes are reducing costs, paving the way for a new perspective: benefiting people and the world need not sacrifice profitability. 

According to Deloitte Global's recent annual Readiness Report, which surveyed over 2,000 CXOs from 19 countries, 62 percent of these leaders prioritize linking societal contributions with profit-making endeavors.

We find ourselves in a unique era where the concept of doing good is now within reach for for-profit businesses of all sizes.

Although we understand the virtue of doing well and doing good, a fundamental question still remains: Is it truly possible to “Do Well by Doing Good”? Is there a direct correlation between achieving high margins and significant growth while delivering social impact and playing a role similar to that of a nonprofit? Furthermore, is that even a lofty goal, or should we aspire to do good despite the risk of incurring a loss in income and time?

In this week's Torah portion, Bechukotai, the Torah shares the great rewards for studying Torah and fulfilling mitzvot. As the verse states: “If you follow My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them, I will give your rains in their time, the Land will yield its produce, and the tree of the field will give forth its fruit…” (Leviticus 26:3–4).

Surprisingly, the rewards the Torah mentions are overwhelmingly and conspicuously material; there is almost no mention of spiritual reward.

The commentaries raise an obvious question concerning these statements. Seemingly, good behavior is not a bargain that G‑d strikes with us. G-d gave us His Torah and mitzvot as a means and opportunity for us to step beyond the realm of ordinary mortal experience and connect ourselves to G‑d and partner with Him to positively transform this world. The very word mitzvah alludes to this concept, for it shares the root of the term Tzavsa, meaning “connection” or “bond.” When we perform a mitzvah, we unite ourselves with Him and create a home for G-d on this earth.

Our Sages point to this concept in their teaching in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers): “The reward for a mitzvah is the mitzvah itself.” What we receive for doing G‑d's will is a bond with Him. The material benefits one receives as a reward pale in comparison to the ultimate objective.

So why, then, does the Torah emphasize specifically physical rewards for doing the right thing? Would it not be more appropriate to emphasize the long-term impact a person is making on the world around them and the spiritual benefits one receives as a result?

In truth, there is a deeper message the Torah is conveying. The promise of material rewards not only serves as an incentive for good behavior, but more importantly, the Torah is primarily conveying the natural outcome of our actions.

We do not perform mitzvot or study Torah to do a favor to G-d, to alleviate our guilty conscience, or even for future reward. The Torah teaches us that when we live a life that truly reflects our inner makeup and purpose, our quality of life is naturally enhanced as a result. Our marriages prosper, our relationships with our children blossom, and our work-life balance is in proper sync, allowing us to truly enjoy the benefits of our work.

Our connection with our Judaism, when applied properly, will refine our character and enable us to live a joyful, meaningful life. When we develop a deeper appreciation for our Jewish identity and purpose, we no longer view our Judaism as a necessary burden. Instead, we gain a deeper satisfaction and appreciation for life, which naturally leads to happiness and success in our endeavors.

This belief and realization have become much more apparent in recent years. For many generations, our ancestors had to make difficult choices to maintain their Jewish observance while making a decent living and living comfortably. Newly arrived immigrants in the U.S.A. faced tremendous challenges such as finding a job that would allow them to observe Shabbat and holidays or keeping a kosher home despite the inconveniences it entailed.

We now live in a time when Jewish observance is not only tolerated and accommodated in the workplace but also celebrated and respected. Keeping kosher has never been easier, with an endless variety of options available to us. The same is true for practically all other aspects of Jewish traditions, education and observance.

The same holds true regarding business. While a fundamental role of business is to meet society's needs with new goods and services, a growing number of leaders in the corporate world, finance, and philanthropy are recognizing that helping to meet the needs of the communities they serve is not only good for society but is also good for the bottom line. We no longer have to choose between doing good and doing well. Instead, we can “Do Well by Doing Good”.

One of the fundamental beliefs in Judaism is that the ultimate purpose of creation is to transform this world for the good and usher in an era of peace and prosperity with the coming of Moshiach (Redemption) to the world. As we get closer to that era, the world is evolving in that direction.

The era of Moshiach not only serves as a spiritual reward for all our collective efforts throughout history, but more importantly, it is the sum total and natural result of our work. Moshiach will enable us to truly appreciate all the wonderful things the world has to offer while eliminating all the pain, destruction, and negativity. Moshiach will remove all ego, jealousy, and competition so that everyone will learn to love one another. There will be no more wars, sickness, or poverty, and all nations on earth will be preoccupied solely with advancing the betterment of society with the belief in one G-d.

As Maimonides states: “At that time there will be no famines and no wars, no envy and no competition. For the good will be very pervasive. All the delicacies will be as readily available as dust… 'For the Earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea' (Isaiah 11:9).”