With All Your Possessions

Book excerpt: In face of the age-old slander against Jewish business ethics, noted economist and rabbinic scholar Meir Tamari puts forth a rigorous defense of Jewish economy as a highly ethical system combining free-market practices with social welfare, competition with compassion. From the biblical story of Ruth to modern taxation responsa, With All Your Possessions demonstrates how the Jew¿s economic life, attitude toward material assets, and mercantile conduct all reflect strict ethical principles. Detailing the history, laws, and customs of Jewish economic activity, Tamari presents an overview of the world¿s oldest system of economics still in use ¿ and the uncompromising moral code that underlies it.