The Role of Role Models

Whoever possesses these three things, he is of the disciples of Abraham, our father; and [whoever possesses] three other things, he is of the disciples of Balaam, the wicked. A good eye, a humble spirit and a moderate appetite he is of the disciples of Abraham, our father. An evil eye, a haughty spirit and a limitless appetite he is of the disciples of Balaam, the wicked.

What is the difference between the disciples of Abraham, our father, and the disciples of Balaam, the wicked? The disciples of Abraham, our father, enjoy this world, and inherit the world to come, as it is said: “I will endow those who love me with substance, I will fill their treasuries” (Proverbs 8:21). But the disciples of Balaam, the wicked, inherit Gehinnom, and descend into the nethermost pit, as it is said: “For you, O God, will bring them down to the nethermost pit those murderous and treacherous men; they shall not live out half their days; but I trust in You” (Psalms 55:24).

In his book, The Character Gap: How Good Are We? Wake Forest University professor, Christian Miller, analyzes the moral gap between who we are and who we can become. Weaving together philosophy and psychology, he offers three promising strategies to fill this space, all of which we have encountered in Pirkei Avot: increasing moral knowledge and self-awareness, strategically selecting healthy settings and environments, and the one we will focus on in this Mishna, the importance of role models.

Witnessing and studying the actions and character of moral role models leads us to admire their good qualities. With this admiration comes an emotion of elevation. Feeling uplifted and inspired by their behavior we are then motivated to emulate their traits. They help shape our moral imagination, transforming the way we perceive and interact with the world. These role models don’t need to be people we know personally. Historical and even fictional characters can provide the same benefits.  When it comes to vice, we do not need personal experience to learn the negative consequences of bad character. We can witness the downfall of others and choose not to emulate their choices.

The Sages scoured the text of the Bible, reading and interpreting with an eye towards moral growth. Abraham serves as a paradigm to emulate; Balaam as the villain to avoid. Abraham models three virtues; Balaam the parallel vices. Abraham demonstrated a good eye. He filtered events with positivity, which contributed to magnanimity towards his guests. Balaam was pessimistic and envious, unable to want what is best for others. Abraham was of humble spirit. He knew his place in the world. He viewed himself as “dust and dirt” in comparison to the grandeur of God. Balaam was arrogant, thinking he can outsmart or circumvent God’s will. Abraham was of modest appetite, not allowing desires to derail his spiritual pursuits. Balaam, in contrast, was driven by greed and lust.

Importantly, the Mishna closes with a secondary lesson, one which we have also seen as a theme throughout Pirkei Avot. Living a life of virtue is not just a method to securing reward in the next world. The character-infused way of being enhances our success and happiness in this world, as well. Aligned with Aristotle’s conception of eudaimonia, and empirically evident in modern psychological studies, it is clear that on the whole, cultivating moral character leads to flourishing. Falling to vice, as evident with Balaam’s end, leads to languishing and an eventual downfall.

As such, one promising strategy to filling the character gap and living a worthy, flourishing life, is to choose Abraham as a role model, feel elevated reading his story, and be moved to emulate his altruism, humility, and temperance.