As the financial markets continue on their wild rides analysts form all walks of life continue debating the causes which led to the meltdown hoping…
Hiding Economic News
“Whomever has a hundred desires two hundred” our Sages declare with their keen insight into human nature. Tragically we are witness to those who have…
Unworthy Aid
Tragically natural disasters are a relatively common occurrence. The scene is familiar – pictures of destruction and death, with pale looking…
The Credit Crunch
With the United States and possibly the world economy teetering on the brink of recession, central bankers around the world have been feverishly…
Donation Dispute
How sad when the giving of a large charitable gift becomes the source of friction and law suits. In 1991 Sears Canada Inc. donated $10 million to…
Teacher Salaries
Long gone are the days when teachers were those who could find no other employment. Thank G-d our schools have many talented teachers who could be…
Firing for Gossip
Office chatter has long been a staple of the workplace. While such occasional chit chat can serve to enhance the atmosphere and collegiality amongst…
Fair Funding Lessons
Despite pockets of great wealth many Jews continue to live below the poverty line, and middle class Jews are being priced out of a Jewish education.…
Rolling the Dice
The accusations against an official of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in a gambling scandal afford us the opportunity for a brief overview…
More Work Pays Less
The obligation to pay a worker on time is so central to Jewish ethics that failure to do is a violation of five Biblical commandments (eating pork in…
Communal Education
The ever increasing costs of Jewish education have been the focus of many articles recently including at least three in this newspaper just this past…
Legal Proceedings
The riveting financial news of the past month has been the trial of Conrad Black; accused of fraud, racketeering, money laundering and obstruction of…
Pesach Economics
One of the guiding principles in responding to questions of Jewish law is the economic impact one’s decision will have on the questioner. The…
The Economics of Health Care
Health care and economics can make for a volatile mix, and involving political rhetoric on the subject is a sure guarantee of fireworks. The…
Parting Pay
It used to be that when one was let go for unacceptable performance the rewards were few and far between. However it seems that nowadays the way for…
Final Sales
One of the challenges facing retailers during the frantic holiday season is dealing with returns of merchandise. A recent study indicated that up to…
Taxing Trusts
The economic news of the past week (in Canada) has focused on the new rules regarding the taxation of income trusts. No longer will these popular…
Matrimonial Assets
One of the hallmarks of Western society is the distinction between the legal and ethical realms. It is the height of political incorrectness to pass…