Money Matters

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Money Matters resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

French Firings

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Over the past few weeks French authorities have faced fierce opposition to their proposed law granting employers the right to dismiss young workers after two years on the job. Under current French law it is next to impossible to fire workers.…
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Hostile Takeovers

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Acquisition of other companies has become a favourite method of corporate growth. With many large corporations awash in cash and the slow nature of internal growth, many companies are on the lookout for takeover targets. The amount of such activity…
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Sick Leave

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Western work conditions take it as a given that employees are paid for many days for which they do not actually work. Vacation time, sick days, maternity leave, personal time are all part and parcel of standard work conditions. These employee…
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Election Etiquette

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The saintly Chafetz Chaim, Rav Yisroel Meir Kagan of Radin (d.1933) in his classic work on the ethics of proper speech points out that up to 31 Torah prohibitions can be violated by improper speech. As a general rule all speech that reflects…
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Layoff Policy

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The recently announced massive layoffs at General Motors have employees at the many industries connected to the auto industry fearful for their own job security. Especially troubling to many in Ontario is the fact that one of the plants scheduled…
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Appointing Judges

Rabbi Jay Kelman

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 apportioning blame in the sponsorship scandal. In the United States George Bush is having difficulty…
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Returning Charity

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Judaism abhors outright hypocrisy. Therefore a mitzvah performed as a direct result of a transgression, mitzvah haba baveirah, loses its value. Thus the Mishna teaches that a stolen lulav may not be used. It would be quite incongruous to thank G-d…
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Get it in Writing

Rabbi Jay Kelman

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 legal weight. Jewish law interestingly, posits that what we say is much more important than what we…
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African Aid

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Should the Western world forgive African debt? The mitzvah of tzedakah contains a dual component; helping those in need and instilling in the donor the recognition that wealth is a gift from G-d. Giving money where it is politically correct and…
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Firing Fellows

Rabbi Jay Kelman

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 one to have a sense of dignity and self worth. It should thus be no surprise that firing workers may…
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