From an ethical perspective this past year has not been a very good one. There has been a seemingly endless stream of scandals involving money laundering, tax evasion, ponzi schemes, immigration fraud, trading in human organs, involving “ Rabbis”, businesspeople and community “leaders”. Even a former prime minister of Israel stands accused of serious charges of corruption. “There is nothing new under the sun” and unfortunately failings in money matters is not a new problem.
The Talmud notes that along with sexual immorality and gossip this is one of the areas where we all fail to one degree or another. It is not by chance that so may of the al chets recited on Yom Kippur relate to the monetary realm. Yet despite the fact that dishonesty will never be eradicated we are bidden to do our best nonetheless, just as we continue to fight poverty despite the Biblical claim that “the poor will never cease to exist in the land” (Devarim 15:11).
Yet there do appear to be some unique features to todays’. Jews today, unlike for much of our history are fully integrated members of society and our misdeeds can no longer be kept under wraps and are thereby magnified. With the creation of the State of Israel our ultimate mission to be a light unto the nations is bound up in our exemplary moral leadership. And never before have Jewish people had the wealth we currently posses affording more opportunity for corruption. Yet ironically at the same time never before has living a Jewish life been so expensive. In pre-modern life the basic needs of a Jewish community; schooling, shuls, mikvaot were paid for by the community with the wealthy sharing the brunt of the burden. As we have (unfortunately I believe) moved to a “user fee” model for essential Jewish services only those at the very top of the income pole can both optimally fulfill the mitzvah to be “fruitful and multiply” and live an intense Jewish life. While this is no excuse for dishonest activity the fact remains that given the stress on many, corners will often be cut.
With the increase in high profile cases there has tragically come a greater “acceptance” of these misdeeds. While many bemoan this depressing situation little seems to be done, dealing as we are with the base side of human nature. There is no easier way to make living a meaningful Jewish life more unappealing than by exposing one to Jews involved less than exemplary behaviour. In a move that is revealingly tragic yet right on the mark the Rabbinical council of American has asked Rabbis to devote one sermon on Rosh Hashnah to the topic of honesty in our business dealings. Taxes must be paid, all items must be declared at the border, no distinction in moral integrity is allowed due to race or religion. While no one is naively suggesting that a speech from the pulpit will have an immediate or noticeable impact by making this a priority item, over times changes will occur. Only after years of focusing on the need for intensive Jewish day school education has such become the norm for many (a situation that is threatened by the increasingly high cost of such an education).
I am unaware of any Jewish school world wide that devotes even just one entire course to - we can call it - call it Money morality and the Modern Marketplace. Perhaps instead of focusing on shofar, apples and honey, waiving a lulav or eating matza (things we teach year in and year out) rabbis and educators alike should spend more time teaching the laws of charity, zoning , advertising, competition, pricing and the like. This is the best. preparation we can do for Yom Kippur, the date our fate is sealed allowing us to answer in the affirmative G-d’s first question to man on the ultimate day of judgment, “were your monetary dealings conducted faithfully”.