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Tell No One

by Ram ben Ze'ev


“Tell No One — for the One who matters already knows.”
“Tell No One — for the One who matters already knows.” -- Ram ben Ze'ev

There was a time when goodness needed no announcement. A person’s deed spoke for itself; a quiet act of kindness was its own testimony. But today, we live in an age where every act, no matter how noble, must be photographed, posted, and praised. Even our national kindness — the good that Israel does for others — is too often paraded before the Nations.



We watch as government representatives and public figures rush to post images of Israeli soldiers bringing aid to those struck by calamity, their gestures sincere, yet their publicity misplaced. Our Sages taught that one must conceal their deeds, especially pious ones. The Gemara warns that a mitzvah performed for the sake of honour loses its merit. True holiness dwells in hiddenness — for when we act in silence, we act לשמה lishmah (for its own sake). But when we perform good publicly, to be seen and admired, we risk turning a mitzvah into a spectacle.


This is why I began the ‘Tell No One’ campaign: a call to return to the humility that defines Jewish goodness. To “do good and say nothing” is not weakness or shame; it is strength and purity. The Holy One, blessed be He, does not need our publicity — He desires our sincerity.



“Tell No One — for the One who matters already knows.” — Ram ben Ze'ev


When the Nations boast of their benevolence, it is because their reward is the applause of men. But Israel was commanded to be different. We are not to imitate their ways. Every act of mercy should ascend quietly, seen only by Heaven. As it is written, “Walk humbly with your G-D.” The echo of such humility reaches higher than any broadcast.


If we truly believe that G-D is the source of all goodness, then it follows that our good deeds must return to Him in silence. For the greatest kindness is the one no one knows about.



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