BUSINESS PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
BROOKLYN COLLEGE
CUNY

Professor Hershey Friedman

Business Practices and the Jewish Tradition
(Jud 20.5/Business 50.6)

COURSE OUTLINE - FALL 2007

Email Professor Friedman

 

 Textbook:  There will be no required textbook.  Readings will be assigned from journals and other publications—all of which will be available from this website. Please subscribe to The Jewish Ethicist:   The Jewish Ethicist at the Center for Business Ethics

 

Expected Course Outcomes:  People have to work longer and harder to make a living today.  Many people think spirituality has no place in the workplace.  This is not true.  Indeed, several articles have appeared in the popular press discussing religion and spirituality in the workplace. This course will help students understand the importance of Jewish business ethics in conducting business. Students will learn how Jewish law feels about unethical practices ranging from mistreating animals to harming the environment to running deceptive advertising. It is hoped that students will better understand their own obligations and responsibilities in running a successful albeit ethical business.

 

Grading:  There will be a midterm and final and an optional term paper.

 

 

 

Outline of Course - For Required Readings CLICK HERE

  Topic 1

 Introduction to Jewish Business Ethics

  The structure of Jewish law; important websites for Jewish Business Ethics; a Jewish Business Strategy
  Topic 2

 The Ideal Occupation

  Talmudic attitudes toward wealth and work; combining Torah and an occupation
  Topic 3

 Biblical Foundations of Business Ethics

  Caring for the environment, helping the poor, assisting the stranger, fair treatment of employees, providing an honest day's work, maintaining honest and stable prices, honest weights and measures, honesty in buying and selling, ensuring that one is above suspicion
  Topic 4

 A Hierarchical Approach to Ethics from the Talmud

  Going beyond the limits of the law (Lifnim meshurat hadin); acting in the manner of Sodom (midat Sodom); the way of the pious (midat chassius)
  Topic 5

 Envy and Coveting

  Materialism and moderation; ostentation and Jewish law
  Topic 6

 Lifnei Iver

  Placing a Stumbling Block Before the Blind -- conflicts of interest
  Topic 7

 Deception and Genevat Da'at

  When is it permitted to lie?
  Topic 8

 Caring for the Environment

  Waste (Baal Taschit)
  Topic 9

 Moral Leadership

  Transformational leadership; the qualities of good leaders
  Topic 10

 Competition

  Competing with a neighbor (hasagas gvul); necessary monopolies
  Topic 11

 Pricing

  Overcharging and underpaying (ona'ah); hoarding; markup laws
  Topic 12

 Honest Weights and Measures

  
  Topic 13

 Employer-Employee Relations

  Paying wages on time, fari treatment of workers; obligations of employees


February 2007
Hershey H. Friedman