Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 6

Hook

Founders face the brutal decision: when do you kill a project, sunset a product, or abandon a failing strategy? Holding on too long can destroy the whole company. Torah offers a sharp, ROI-driven answer.

Text Snapshot

Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 6 states: "Do not destroy its trees." (Deuteronomy 20:19) Yet, "a fruit tree may be cut down if it causes damage... or if a high price could be received for its wood." Also, "one may cut down a fruit bearing tree that has become old and produces only a slight yield." This prohibition "does not apply to trees alone... 'Do not destroy.'"

Analysis

Insight 1: Systemic Impact (Fairness)

"Destructive intent" is forbidden, but "a fruit tree may be cut down if it causes damage to other trees." Focus on systemic impact. Is a struggling project draining resources from more promising ventures?

Insight 2: Opportunity Cost (Truth)

"A high price could be received for its wood" is a valid reason to cut. Torah isn't sentimental. If an asset (project, team) offers more value repurposed, truth demands recognition. Sentimentality hinders growth.

Insight 3: Performance Thresholds (Competition)

"One may cut down a fruit bearing tree that has become old and produces only a slight yield." The text quantifies this: "an olive tree must produce... A quarter of a kav of olives." If a product or team isn't meeting minimum viable yield, strategic reallocation is necessary for competitiveness.

Policy Move

Implement a "Sunset Review" for projects/products. Define quantifiable performance thresholds (e.g., "A quarter of a kav of olives" equivalent for revenue/engagement). If unmet for two quarters, trigger automatic review for repurposing or termination.

Board-Level Question

"Are we consistently applying our 'destructive intent' principle to internal resource allocation, ensuring we're not sentimentally preserving underperforming assets at the expense of overall company health?"

Takeaway

Don't be a destroyer, but don't hoard the unproductive. Torah commands strategic pruning for long-term vitality. KPI proxy: Resource Utilization Efficiency (RUE) – (Value Generated / Resource Input) for each project/product.