EXOD301 Behaving Beyond the Letter of the Law. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 30b) states: "The only reason Yerushalayim was destroyed is because they behaved according to the letter of the law." This teaches us that we must act with tolerance and forbearance even when the law is on our side. Regarding the verse, "And you shall teach them the ordinances and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work they must do" [this verse], the Sages say, [The words] 'the work they must do' mean that they are required to act beyond the letter of the law." Only when all other alternatives are exhausted should one resort to a beis din. Even then, if the dispute concerns a small sum of money and it is within one's financial capability to do so, he should give up the money. However, a poor person may pursue his claim in most cases.