In 1910 President Theodore Roosevelt delivered his New Nationalism speech. In his remarks he said that “nothing is more true than that excess of every kind is followed by reaction.” The intent of these powerful words was certainly on the mind of the Rambam as he formulated his classic variation on the golden mean. Extreme solutions often backfire as the reactions create greater difficulty than the initial challenge itself.

It seems that Pharaoh and the Egyptians were not aware of this piece of advice. Pharaoh’s plan to curb Jewish influence was not by constrictive legislation but rather genocide. This extreme decision galvanized the midwives and generated the heartfelt cries that sparked G-d’s attribute of mercy. Likewise, their plan to stop the plague of the frogs by beating each frog only served to increase the amount of frogs. Excess is always followed by reaction.

This is great mussar (advice) in our personal lives. We often make decisions of a social (what foods our children should eat), religious (how many chumra’s we can take upon ourselves), or pedagogical (how much homework a school should give) nature that is sound but can be carried to the extreme. And when we make these “wise decisions” we fail to see the pending reaction. “Eyzehu chacham haroeh es hanolad” – who is wise? He who sees the outcome (Pirkei Avos).