Blog: Keepin' Up With the Kollel

Does Judaism Support the Idea of Capitalism?

A big momentum is taking place in Israel right now. Lots of middle class people have been marching in protest, demanding social justice. Many of these are considering capitalism a chunk of the problem. Others say it is actually the solution. The big question is: what does Judaism feel about capitalism? Does it support it or is it against it?

Judaism always speaks about the idea of ownership of the land. “Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree and none will make him afraid” (Mic. 4:4). However, Judaism also states that even though we are in possession of the land, we are not truly the owners of it. Every seven years, is a biblical year, and therefore the land has to rest. At the same time, when harvesting comes, part of the fruit should go to the poor. In fact, a tenth of your profit needs to go to the poor for charity. Charity is to be considered a sign of righteousness, a way in which we as individuals do justice. The profit we make is given to us so that then we can share it with others.

Submitted by rivki on Thu, 2011-09-22 11:43

What is a Torah perspective about the underlying cause of the recent Stanley Cup riots?

What is a Torah perspective about the underlying cause of the recent Stanley Cup riots?

When you see senseless acts of violence where people loot, burn down cars and literally destroy a city they consider their ‘home’, it is hard not to wonder what is wrong with our society. These acts of destruction have brought shame to many Vancouverites that love their city. So much has been said about ‘reputation’ and how we ‘make ourselves look bad’ to the rest of the world, that we don’t realize the bigger issue at stake: teenagers growing up without an awareness of their own actions.

The Midrash references the actions of three great individuals, Reuben, Aaron and Boaz and says that if they would have known that their action would be recorded in the Torah, then they would have chosen to act differently.

Submitted by rivki on Thu, 2011-07-28 12:54

To Be or Not to Be? Happy, I Mean.

Happiness comes from within.

You’ve heard that before. Yet when you stop everything you are doing and meditate on who you are and what you stand for, do you find happiness? If you deny yourself all the material pleasures of the world, will you be happy? I would hope not…

So what does it mean when they say that happiness comes from within? Before answering that, we must first understand the meaning of the word happiness. According to dictionary.com, happiness is “good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy”.

I look at that definition and see contradictions; if contentment is happiness, who needs good fortune? And really, when was the last time you experienced pleasure and said “Now I have everything I ever needed to be happy”?

What do I do when we don’t like the definition we find online? I make up my own definitions! Let’s start with redefining happiness and pleasure.

Submitted by admin on Fri, 2011-05-27 15:56

Ahavah: Love, or something like it.

The Talmud relates many stories about a Rabbi named Hillel. Hillel was one of the leading rabbis in his generation, and many people respected him. Once, a man who wanted to “put the rabbi in his place” approached Hillel and said, “Teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot.”

Hillel, not one to turn down a challenge, answered “What is hateful to you, don’t do unto others. The rest of the Torah is just commentary.”

The concept of treating others the way we want to be treated is written in the Torah as “V’Ahavta L’reacha Kamocha” which translates as “Love your fellow as you love yourself”. This is the mitzvah of Ahavat Yisrael-loving every Jew. We are commanded to love every Jew, even a stranger whom we have never met!

Submitted by admin on Fri, 2011-05-27 15:54

Mission Possible

The computer age and the information revolution have given all of us enormous power and the ability to reach virtually anyone at any time. Yes, technology allows us to live more comfortably and work more efficiently, but can we understand how it makes our lives more meaningful?

On its own, science is neutral; it attempts to give us an objective view of our physical universe and its natural forces, but it does not draw a conclusion as to how we should use these forces. It does not deal with good and evil or with questions of morality.

Technology, as with all forces in our lives, can be used either constructively or destructively. Developments such as television, computers and lasers, discoveries in nuclear energy, medicine, and biology -- these are all instances of G-dly forces that are manifested in nature.

Story:

Submitted by admin on Fri, 2011-05-27 15:51

Do you see that light bulb?

Vehi Sheamda

וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה לַאֲבוֹתֵיֽנוּ וְלָנֽוּ. שֶׁלֹא אֶחָד בִּלְבָד, עָמַד עָלֵיֽנוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנֽוּ. אֶלָּא שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, עוֹמְדִים עָלֵיֽנוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנֽוּ. וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַצִּילֵנוּ מִיָּדָם

Vehi She’amda, La’avotainu Velanu Shelo Echad Bilvad, Amad Aleinu Lechaloteinu Ela Sheb’chol Dor VaDor Omdim Aleinu Lechaloteinu V’HaKadosh Baruch Hu Matzilenu Miyadam.

And it is this [covenant] that has stood for our Forefathers and us. For not just one enemy has stood against us to wipe us out. But in every generation there have been those who have stood against us to wipe us out, and the Holy One Blessed Be He saves us from their hands.

To hear this passage sung:

http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/847035/jewish/Vehi-Sheamda.htm

Submitted by admin on Fri, 2011-05-27 15:47