The recently announced massive layoffs at General Motors have employees at the many industries connected to the auto industry fearful for their own…
Judaism eschews extremism. This obligation to be moderate is codified into law by no less an authority than the Rambam; it is, as he points out, "the…
The role of the judiciary in North America has been at the forefront of the news in recent days. In Canada Judge Gomery has just released his report…
“In the beginning G-d created the heaven and the earth” (1:1). Light, sky, land, vegetation, animals and humans: the Torah's…
Judaism abhors outright hypocrisy. Therefore a mitzvah performed as a direct result of a transgression, mitzvah haba baveirah, loses its value. Thus…
"Sarai said to Abram, 'G-d has kept me from having children. Come to my concubine; perhaps I will be built up through her'" (16:2…
Get it in writing. This piece of advice has as its implicit assumption that it is the written word and not oral proclamations which carry greater…
Should the Western world forgive African debt? The mitzvah of tzedakah contains a dual component; helping those in need and instilling in the donor…
Providing employment for the needy – and most would be needy if not for their jobs – is considered to be the highest form of “charity” as it enables…
Accepting personal responsibly for ones actions is one of the fundamental precepts of Judaism. “Man is always liable” for damages caused, the Talmud…
The allegations emanating from the Gomery inquiry implicating the governing Liberal Party of Canada and their friends in a taxpayer funded…
The conviction of former Worldcom Inc. chairman Bernard Ebbers on multiple counts of fraud and the like raises the question of executive…
“The law of the land is the law”. This fundamental principle of law obligates Jews to be loyal citizens of whatever country they may reside. It is so…
Can one sue for bad advice? In the specialized marketplace in which we operate we are all dependant on advice of other, be they accountants, lawyers…
As we approach the year end we are bombarded with article after article explaining how a little year end planning can help us keep more of our money…
The modern day corporation has as one of its primary features the separation of the ownership and management functions. While shareholders may not…
Health care and economics are an often volatile mix. Just ask our first ministers. The Canadian ethos is such that rich and poor are to receive (in…
With Canadian hockey fans facing lots of free time on Saturday nights what might Jewish law have to say about hiring replacement hockey players?…
When we think of the Yamim Noraim our thoughts focus on such items as family, prayer, repentance, health and happiness. Rarely do people dwell on the…
Judaism has never looked askance at acquiring wealth. Without livelihood there can be no Torah, our Sages declare, recognizing the absolute necessity…
The Biblical prohibition against charging interest seems to be out of place in a modern day economy. Interest rates are crucial to our economy. Too…
We are most fortunate to live in a country where the religious rights of workers are protected. Despite the hardships it may cause employers, workers…
Jewish ethos sees economic activity as part and parcel of a moral way of life bringing us closer to G-d. Government as a prime source of economic…
Judaism has always regarded the misuse of public funds to be a most grievous sin. Whereas Jewish law stipulates that a worker be given opportunity to…
Modern psychological research has shown that infants begin processing information even before they are born, and impressions made on children have an…
When asked what law is most important in the baking of matza, Rav Yisroel Salanter the 19th century founder of the Mussar (ethical refinement)…
The mitzvah of tzedakah consist of both a private and public component. The public charity obligation is today operational only in the state of…
May one shop at a cash only business? “Innocent until proven guilty” is an idea rooted in Jewish ethos which teaches that all have a ‘presumption of…
Spin. The art of manipulating the facts to fit one's agenda has been fine-tuned in the era of mass media. Companies will pay millions…
May a local shul charge out of town guests a fee for high holiday “seats”? Money and religion often makes for a volatile, albeit necessary mix.…
What are the ethical obligations when selling one’s home? Jewish law rejects the notion of caveat emptor (buyer beware) and has placed an onus of…
The desert conjures up images of heat, hunger, thirst, wastelands and wandering, certainly not a place to stage important events. Yet it was in the…