Commentary for Sanhedrin 210:12

אמר רב יהודה אמר רב לעולם יעסוק אדם בתורה ובמצוה אפילו שלא לשמה שמתוך שלא לשמה בא לשמה שבשכר ארבעים ושתים קרבנות שהקריב בלק זכה ויצאה ממנו רות א"ר יוסי בר הונא רות בתו של עגלון בן בנו של בלק מלך מואב היתה

Rab Judah said in Rab's name: One should always occupy himself with Torah and good deeds, though it be not for their own sake,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. next note. ');">²¹</span> for out of good work misapplied in purpose there comes [the desire to do it] for its own sake. For as a reward for the forty-two sacrifices offered up by Balak, he was privileged that Ruth should be his descendant;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Though Balak offered up these sacrifices for a most unworthy purpose — viz. that Balaam might thereby be enabled to curse Israel — he was nevertheless rewarded for it, shewing that it has some merit. ');">²²</span>

Explore commentary for Sanhedrin 210:12. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.