Cruelty and Compassion
„Shaul was greater than David, and therefore in the very essence of his soul the trait of mercy shone even upon Amalek.”From Shemonah Kevatzim, I, 444
I will try to convey here a deep and complex line of thought in a few words; for those interested, I will expand in the discussion group. King Shaul was commanded to destroy Amalek, but he had compassion on the king of Amalek, and for this he was punished and his kingship was taken from him. The Rav argues that Shaul's compassion did not stem from weakness but from greatness of soul. In his soul the trait of mercy shone. Yet this trait, says the Rav, cannot sustain political leadership in a dark world. To be a "bleeding heart" in a violent reality does not advance the world, and "whoever becomes merciful to the cruel, in the end becomes cruel to the merciful." But alongside this, one must not abandon the compass. Compassion is not an error but a goal. Even when it cannot lead the present, it must be preserved as a goal for the world to which we are commanded to ascend.
*
Expansion on the topic in the discussions (a group that is not quiet):
From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.