I’m studying accountancy. Last night, i went for help to some one who had already graduated, he spent a hour with me, and at the end i gave him money, he tried to give it back so i ran out.
This man was a accountant, i took away his time.
This man was acting Lifnim Meshuras Hadin -above the letter of the law or with Midos Chasidos-a trait of piety.
The Talmud says, the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed because people only acted ‘according to the letter of law (the ‘halacha’ or shulchan aruch).
So I say without Midos Chasidus you are not a Jew (btw this law is not in the Shulchan Aruh, how can it be? the Shulchan Aruch enumerates according to the law).
Some people in this room will counter the quote ‘lo toosif, lo tigrah’ which some commentators say if you add (be Chasidish in everything at all times) you will come to decrease (see Talmud discussing various negative types of Chassidus)-so the answer to this discrepancy is -use your common sense (logic), the people you are helping, CShapiro, may genuinely need your help, and may have little money, at the same time your time is being sacrificed, weigh it up, do a Cheshbon in Chesvan regarding accountancy (Chesbonos), and don’t forget the saying ‘above the letter of the law’ don’t let people tell you its wrong to be Chasidic in every case as you will come to decrease.