יחזקאל, פרק י״ח, פסוק י״ז

The principle of personal responsibility stands as a central pillar of justice, firmly rejecting the idea that guilt is inherited. A person who chooses an upright and moral path secures his own future through his personal actions, entirely independent of his family's past.

A defining characteristic of this righteous behavior is the active choice to refrain from harming others [רש״י]. While the moral obligation to avoid hurting people applies universally, special attention is given to the treatment of the impoverished. Because a poor person is weak, vulnerable, and lacks the power to defend himself, he is an easy target for exploitation and abuse [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Resisting the urge to take advantage of such vulnerability demonstrates true moral integrity.

Living with such integrity shatters a widespread misconception of that era. There was a popular claim that children inevitably suffer and face punishment for the sins committed by their parents. The promise given to the righteous completely uproots that belief, guaranteeing that an innocent son will never face death for his father's wrongdoings [מצודת דוד].

Instead, the righteous son is assured a complete, multi-layered reward of life. This promise is not merely about escaping physical death for someone else's mistakes. It is a guarantee of a full existence in this world, alongside the ultimate reward of spiritual and eternal life in the World to Come [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].