Can it be Good to be Cruel?

The characteristic of cruelty exists within everyone.  Natural maturation often facilitates cruel teenagers graduating into more sensitive adults.  Discussion of apparently kind acts which are actually cruel.  Overcoming addictions requires showing self-cruelty to be successful.  Permission to ignore responsibilities towards my parents and children to further the family’s limud HaTorah is actually the license to invoke bitachon for others.

Citations:  This shiur cites Orchos Tzadikim sha’ar Achzariyus and Klei Yakar Devarim 33:9.