Can You Be a Good Person Without Following the Torah?

A reader asks: “The Torah teaches and guides us to become righteous people, but I also see that there are good people who aren't religious. Doesn't this mean that it's possible to be a good person without following the Torah?”

Hello, and thank you for your thoughtful question.

You have identified an important principle. After all, why did Hashem choose Abraham and Moses to become His great prophets?

As we know, Abraham was a man of truth and kindness. He searched for God, taught others to believe in Him, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to welcoming guests. Moses saved his fellow Jew from an Egyptian taskmaster and made efforts to establish peace between people.

The Midrash also relates that Moses and King David showed extraordinary compassion toward the sheep in their care, going to great lengths to prevent them from suffering. It was because of this compassion that Hashem chose them to become shepherds of the Jewish people. The Jewish people themselves demonstrated remarkable devotion when they declared, “We will do and we will hear” (Exodus 24:7), and through this commitment, they merited receiving the Torah.

A Good Heart Is the Foundation

We see, then, that a good heart is the foundation upon which the entire structure of Torah and mitzvot is built. A good person can be compared to an unpolished diamond. The Torah is the Divine guide that takes the goodness already present within a person and develops it, elevating that individual to the level of a righteous and exceptionally pious person.

Consider, for example, the mitzvah of charity. Good-hearted people often give generously when an opportunity presents itself. A Torah-observant Jew, however, sets aside a tenth of their income for those in need on a regular basis.

The Rambam explains that a person might give a spontaneous donation of a thousand gold coins during a moment of emotional inspiration, yet afterward, that feeling of generosity may fade. By contrast, someone who gives charity consistently, on a thousand separate occasions, gradually shapes their character and develops a lasting quality of generosity and piety (Commentary on the Mishnah, Pirkei Avot 3:15).

The difference is that the Torah transforms goodness from an occasional emotional response into a consistent way of life.

Doing Good Even When We Don't Feel Like It

The same principle applies to honoring one's parents. There are many good people who genuinely respect and care for their parents. However, their willingness to help may sometimes depend on the emotional connection they feel or the affection they have received. For example, someone might naturally feel more inclined to care for their mother than their father because of a closer personal relationship.

A person who observes the Torah learns to honor and care for both parents, even during periods when the emotional connection is less apparent. In this way, the mitzvah trains the heart to do what is right regardless of personal feelings or expectations.

This is one of the Torah's remarkable contributions to character development. It does not merely encourage us to follow our good intentions. It teaches us to translate those intentions into actions, even when doing so requires effort and self-discipline.

How the Torah Refines Our Character

People who become religious later in life were often good people long before they began observing the mitzvot. However, as they grow closer to their Jewish heritage, they frequently become more deliberate and conscientious in their actions. They may invest greater effort in giving charity, performing acts of kindness, honoring their parents, and treating their spouses with respect. They become more careful to conduct their business honestly and ethically.

At the same time, they work to overcome personal challenges such as anger, pride, and jealousy, while becoming more mindful of avoiding harmful speech and gossip. Through the observance of mitzvot, the desire to be good develops into a lifelong commitment to improving one's character.

Beyond Good Behavior: The Soul's Higher Purpose

Beyond all these interpersonal responsibilities, we must remember that the ultimate purpose of the soul is to draw close to its Creator, Hashem, who is the source of all goodness. For this reason, the Torah also commands mitzvot that govern our relationship with God, not only those that regulate our relationships with other people.

These commandments are of supreme importance in the spiritual development and refinement of the individual. Through them, a person cultivates a deeper connection with Hashem and fulfills the higher purpose for which the soul was created.

From Being Good to Becoming Righteous

Judaism therefore offers a path of growth for every person, regardless of where they begin. It can transform someone who behaves badly into a good person, and it can elevate someone who is already good into a person of exceptional righteousness and piety.

When we encounter a good-hearted individual who is not yet observant of the mitzvot, we should recognize the tremendous potential that already exists within them. Rather than overlooking their goodness, we can appreciate how much further they may grow as they deepen their connection with their Jewish heritage.

As the Book of Proverbs teaches: “It is a tree of life to those who grasp it, and those who support it are fortunate.” (Proverbs 3:18)

The Torah does not create goodness out of nothing. It nurtures, refines, and elevates the goodness within us, guiding us toward ever greater spiritual heights.