יחזקאל, פרק י״ח, פסוק כ׳

The principle of personal responsibility stands at the center of human life, establishing that guilt and merit belong exclusively to the individual rather than being passed down through a family line. Every person carries the weight of their own choices and is never judged by the actions of their parents or children [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The rule is absolute: only the one who actively commits a wrong will face the consequences, ensuring that an innocent person is never harmed or forced to suffer the punishment of a relative [מצודת דוד].

There is a total separation between generations when it comes to reward and punishment, and this divide works in two distinct directions. First, just as a father is not penalized for his son's wrongdoing, a son does not inherit the penalty for his father's sins. Second, spiritual standing cannot be transferred to save or doom a family member. The good deeds of a righteous parent cannot rescue an erring child, and the flaws of a guilty parent cannot damage the standing of a good and just child [מלבי״ם].

Ultimately, a person's righteousness or wickedness remains completely their own. Acts of justice bring reward exclusively to the one who performed them, cementing the reality that each individual is entirely responsible for their own actions [מצודת דוד].