Judaism and Economics: The Link between Judaism and Economic Life

Abstract

This article deals with the relationship of Judaism to economic activity. The subject is the typical approach of Jewish ethical thought, concerning the understanding of money, wealth, jobs and economic initiatives. Issues related to fundamental economic life are shown to be covered in the books that the Jewish community considers sacred. Particularly important are the Old Testament and the Talmud. Also important are references to the cultural interpretation of Judaism, including the classical works on the subject -Jacques Attali and Werner Sombart. The key concept is the subject of "wealth," the meaning of which is derived from the Bible's Book of Exodus and the Talmud. Finally, the foundations for Jewish economic thought can be expressed as the product of an embedded culture, which is founded on religion, in which property acquires ethical legitimacy. The argument is crowned with historical examples of the noble economic activity of the Jewish people, which also give evidence of the interrelatedness of religion and the proper use of wealth.

Religion and Development in Africa

“…Furthermore, their willingness to move from place to place was underpinned by their teaching on wealth; hence they were able to inject their religious capital in development. Fel & Zdun (2014) note that just as money journeys, the Jewish person is constantly ready to abandon his or her present location. As Bourdieu (1984) noted in coining the term cultural capital to identify the investments that culture represents to each individual, people ideally resist migrating or emigrating, not only to protect social capital, but also to protect their cultural capital.…”

“…The belief in the moral law could also not be detached from the contributions of the Jews in Zambia. It must be noted that Jewish law embraces practically all domains of Jewish life, and thus it becomes the principal means by which Judaism brings about the reign of God on earth (Fel & Zdun 2014). As such, Jewish law is a total guide to religious and ethical conduct.…”