There is an email letter being circulated among Jewish clergy inviting us to affirm a list of ten beliefs that reflect our understanding of what makes us uniquely Jewish and American. Given the considerable discord over some basic values in our country, I thought it would be meaningful to share this list with you. Not because I expect all to agree with them, but rather as a way of inviting reflection about your own core values and the extent to which certain Jewish principles might influence your own world view. I’ll share their values with you over the next several days as a reminder of some core beliefs that continue to guide a wide diversity of our Jewish spiritual leaders. I’ve grouped them under broad topics and included references that the authors believe inform these principles.

Integrity in Our Business and Personal Finance

  • We believe in fairness in business and all transactions: not engaging in fraud, paying workers promptly, honestly representing what is offered. (Lev.19:13; 19:35-6)
  • We call what we give to others tzedakah, giving based on justice. We believe in the importance of compassion, but what we give to others in need is based on seeking justice in society. צֶדֶק צֶדֶק תִּרְדֹּף – Justice, justice shall you pursue! (Deut 16:20)

In the Torah portion called Kedoshim, there are some laws that end with the epistrophe (the repetition of a phrase) “I am Adonai Your God” while others merely state the law. Numerous commentators point out that when human beings cannot police the particular law, the Torah reminds us that God is watching.  Whether or not you literally believe that God is watching your every move, the concept that certain behaviors must be guided by our own internal sense of morality is powerful. There are many things that even though illegal, are not easily monitored and thus are easy to get away with. We should act as if God is watching.

This notion is particularly important for two beliefs we are discussing today. While one may be able to get away with unfairness or fraud in one’s business, a sense that God is watching mitigates against such behavior. For many, lying and cheating are well attested ways to succeed in business (if success means only making money) and even the most ethical among us are tempted. However, we have the capacity to self-correct and resist the temptation when it surfaces. Our values guide our behavior.

It is even more important with respect to charitable giving where there is no coercion and no formal body overseeing our conduct. We know that tzedakah is a central Jewish principle. We know that our tradition emphasizes generosity. We are the only ones who can judge whether we are giving adequately.  Few people will give themselves into poverty, and even fewer give to their full capacity. A commitment to tzedakah reflects our commitment to the pursuit of the just society that the Torah and Judaism demands of us.

—Rabbi Ron Stern