Jewish Business Ethics: Jewish Law and Copyright

Jewish Business Ethics: Jewish Law and Copyright

from jewishvirtuallibrary.org by Rabbi Israel Schneider

In our highly advanced technological age, the duplication of original works of authorship has become almost effortless. While at one time, manuscripts or books had to be copied laboriously by hand, it is now possible within several minutes to produce high quality reproductions of entire works. Similarly, audio tapes, videos, and computer programs can all be reproduced quickly, effectively, and cheaply. The purpose of this essay is to explore the halachic implications of making or using unauthorized duplications and to inquire if there are precedents which could serve as grounds for the protection of an author’s or creator’s proprietary rights.

Continue reading

Are Business Ethics an Oxymoron

Are Business Ethics an Oxymoron?

from aish.com by: Rabbi Benjamin Blech

Looking at the headlines of the past few years – Bernie Madoff, Enron, the subprime mortgage scandal and a host of other examples – we get the feeling that ethical practices play no role in that world dedicated solely to the goal of maximizing profits.

Continue reading

Jewish Business Ethics: Halakhot of Investing in the Stock Market

Jewish Business Ethics: Halakhot of Investing in the stock market

from jewishvirtuallibrary.org by Rabbi Asher Meir

I. THE NATURE OF STOCK OWNERSHIP

The extent to which stock ownership is considered active partnership in a corporation is a critical question in numerous areas of halakha. Conceivably, by buying a single share of stock a person could find himself committing transgressions from all four sections of the Shulchan Arukh! Some examples include:

Continue reading

The Jewish Ethicist: Complaints

The Jewish Ethicist: Complaints

from aish.com by: Rabbi Dr. Asher Meier, Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem

Q. I have a worker who is always complaining. Maybe if he is so unhappy I should just let him go.

A. It is true that an unhappy worker can be bad for both the worker and the workplace. In one place the Talmud likens the matchmaking process to the splitting of the sea at the Exodus (1); in another place it likens making a living to the splitting of the sea. (2) Perhaps this is a hint that finding the suitable workplace is a little bit like finding a suitable spouse. If the worker is unhappy, maybe that means that his “workplace made in heaven” is really someplace else.

Continue reading

HECKER CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT SERIES: #11 PRESERVING THE PEACE

Harvey S. Hecker Character Development Series: Our words are a powerful force to build – and destroy.

#11 Preserving the Peace
Originally published by Rabbi Shraga Simmons on aish.com

In our “rights-based” culture of personal entitlement, we vigilantly protect our share of wealth, power, honor and fame. Anyone infringing on what we justly deserve is met with indignant protest.

Continue reading

HECKER CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT SERIES: MIDOT SERIES #10: COMPASSION

Harvey S. Hecker Character Development Series: Our words are a powerful force to build – and destroy.

Midot Series #10: Compassion
Originally published by Rabbi Shraga Simmons on aish.com

The world needs compassion. Compassion for the less fortunate, relief to poverty-stricken areas, protesting injustice, listening to a friend in need, and myriad other ways to infuse life with the expansive spirit of caring for others.

Continue reading

Jewish Business Ethics: An Introductory Perspective

Jewish Business Ethics: An Introductory Perspective

from jlaw.com by Rabbi Yitzchok Breitowitz

Many of us have a mistaken idea of what is within the compass or scope of our religious traditions. People know that lighting Chanukah candles is something you talk about with a rabbi, observance of the Shabbat, the laws of Kashrut, etc., but many people have an attitude that if I don’t tell the rabbi how to run his business, the rabbi shouldn’t tell me how to run mine. Very often, we live fragmented dichotomized lives where what we do in the office from 9 to 5 (or if you’re a workaholic from 8 to 7), is our own private affair and then at home we observe the holidays, or the rituals of Judaism, on the weekends, or three-days-a-year, or whatever.

Continue reading

The Jewish Ethicist – Beggars’ Letters

The Jewish Ethicist – Beggars’ Letters

from aish.com by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir, Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem

Q. Many charity seekers come to my door with recommendation letters from well-known rabbis or organizations. Can I rely on these letters to determine who is truly needy?

A. Giving letters of recommendation to help worthy charity recipients is a centuries-old tradition in Jewish communities. Knowing that an august authority vouches for the bearer, or even that he or she knows of them, goes a long way towards allaying the worries of a giver.

Continue reading

The Jewish Ethicist – Pollution

The Jewish Ethicist – Pollution

From aish.com By: Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir, Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem

Q. Does Jewish law forbid pollution? Does the polluter have to pay damages, like anyone else who causes harm?

A.Among the very first commandments given in the Torah are those providing for payments for damages. In chapter 20 of the book of Exodus we have the revelation on Mount Sinai and the Ten Commandments, and in the very next chapter we find the nuts and bolts of damages for battery, damages caused by animals, and so on.

Continue reading