Holy Business

Dr. Bernard Spector, a respected businessman and philanthropist from Montreal, once visited the Rebbe to receive his blessing and advice. "Rebbe, when does one decide they have enough?" he asked.

Dr. Spector explained that he had recently sold his business and was now receiving other lucrative business offers. "I am seeking advice to know when a person decides they have enough money for themselves and their family, and they have reached their goal."

The Rebbe responded, "If you have experience in business, you must use it. A person can never fully attain their goal because we have an endless message and mission from G-d."

Another philanthropist from Worcester, MA, confided in the Rebbe that he had more than enough money to live comfortably and to give Tzedakah generously. He now wished to retire and dedicate a few hours each day to studying Torah while spending the rest of the day volunteering in the community. He had come to request a blessing for his next step.

To his surprise, the Rebbe replied, "You should continue being active in business as well, not only in learning Torah. It may seem strange that this is coming from me, but nevertheless, it is a good thing for you to show an example of a successful businessperson who studies Torah and is happy about it."

In many cultures, money and business are considered necessary evils that we must engage in to live comfortably. Recent surveys have shown that a significant number of Americans expect to spend almost 40 years in retirement, with many workers planning to stop working before they turn 61. At the same time, most workers say they want to live until they're 100.

Judaism teaches that "a person was created to work (Job 5:7)." It’s not a mistake that we need to spend a large percentage of our waking hours working; it’s by Divine design.

In this week’s Torah portion, Behar, the Jewish people are instructed to deal honestly in their business dealings. As the verse states: "And when you make a sale to your fellow Jew or make a purchase from the hand of your fellow Jew, you shall not wrong one another" (Leviticus 25:14).

There are multiple tractates in the Talmud that deal with intricate laws concerning business, commerce, and handling money.

The importance of our business endeavors is further highlighted by a teaching of the Talmud concerning the four primary questions a person is asked by G-d after their passing: "Did you do business, buying and selling, faithfully (i.e. honestly)? Did you set fixed times for Torah study? Did you engage in procreation (i.e. building a family)? Were you anticipating the Redemption (i.e. Moshiach)?"

Working is important not only because it helps generate income to support one’s family and community, but working itself is also an integral part of our life’s mission. In essence, business is about creating value. If you have earned money in an honest and productive way, you have made a positive difference in someone else’s life and ultimately in the world.

For instance, a tailor may take a piece of fabric, which could have easily been used as a Shmatte, and create a masterpiece of a suit to then sell to someone who can dress up for a Simcha, a holiday, or any other important event. The same is true for a contractor who builds a home for a family or a computer programmer who designs an app. Working is about taking otherwise useless materials or information and finding a productive way to create value and benefit for both parties.

Judaism teaches that our life’s mission is to create a home for G-d in this physical world. When we conduct ourselves honestly and productively in business, we elevate the world and all of its creation by infusing it with value and a higher purpose.

Furthermore, life itself is about 'Divine Commerce.' Trade is an interchange of goods and commodities. When I buy something, it comes into my possession, and when I sell something, I'm transferring the object from my domain to someone else's.

The overall quality of Torah and Mitzvot is that of selling and acquisition. When one performs a Mitzvah or gives to Tzedakah, we are taking an otherwise mundane object and transferring it to Divine ownership; ultimately we are creating a profit for our soul and G-d.

The same is true with our approach to business. There is a big difference between a business owner and an employee. A hired person puts in their required hours and leaves the concerns of the business behind at the end of the day. Even the most conscientious employee does not demonstrate the same level of involvement as the business owner.

By contrast, the business owner or entrepreneur is always concerned with the demands of their enterprise; one may be eating or socializing, but not for a moment do they forget their business affairs. Although the business may be running smoothly, they are always looking for ways to improve or expand their holdings.

A Jew must approach their spiritual "business," and especially the study of Torah, with the same dedication that one displays towards their business. We should invest in our Judaism and always seek ways to grow and deepen our connection to our identity and community.

Maimonides teaches that in the era of Redemption, "there will be neither famine nor war, neither envy nor strife, because good will emanate in abundance and all delightful things will be accessible as dust." As we approach the final moments before Redemption, we are witnessing unprecedented technological revolutions that are disrupting and changing our approach to business, medicine, law, finance, real estate, and many other industries.

These amazing capabilities allow us to focus on the most important aspects of our work and Divine "business" by developing our relationship with our identity, our family, acquaintances, communities, and G-d. May we merit to experience the ultimate Redemption today!