Money Matters

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Money Matters resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

Pesach Economics

Rabbi Jay Kelman

One of the guiding principles in responding to questions of Jewish law is the economic impact one’s decision will have on the questioner. The principle of hefesed meruba – a great monetary loss - allows, perhaps obligates one to override many of our…
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The Economics of Health Care

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Health care and economics can make for a volatile mix, and involving political rhetoric on the subject is a sure guarantee of fireworks. The difficult balance between health costs and access to health care was highlighted by a recent decision of the…
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Parting Pay

Rabbi Jay Kelman

It used to be that when one was let go for unacceptable performance the rewards were few and far between. However it seems that nowadays the way for a senior executive to really make some money is to get fired. The latest example is the ouster of…
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Final Sales

Rabbi Jay Kelman

One of the challenges facing retailers during the frantic holiday season is dealing with returns of merchandise. A recent study indicated that up to 1/3 of all purchases are returned after the holiday season. Included in that amount are fraudulent…
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Taxing Trusts

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The economic news of the past week (in Canada) has focused on the new rules regarding the taxation of income trusts. No longer will these popular vehicles be able to distribute their earnings tax free and will now be treated like all other…
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Matrimonial Assets

Rabbi Jay Kelman

One of the hallmarks of Western society is the distinction between the legal and ethical realms. It is the height of political incorrectness to pass judgment on another’s moral choices. The extent of this dichotomy was evident in a recent news story…
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Sinning Begets Sinning

Rabbi Jay Kelman

“Al Chet, For the sin which we have sinned before thee with our commercial dealings, B’masah umatan”. Our urge for money is all powerful and it is for this reason that there are more mitzvoth relating to this particular area – over 120 – than any…
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Stolen and Found

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Included in the many tragedies of war are those in the economic sphere. While loss of money pales in comparison to loss of life, the economic hardships are nonetheless real and painful. Lost jobs, ruined businesses, broken contracts and an expected…
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Traveling Taxes

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The French government recently approved plans for a new tax on airline tickets, to be levied on all passengers boarding a plane in France that would be distributed to the world’s poor. Is such a tax ethically sound? Jewish tradition recognizes that…
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The Strike Price

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Recently, we in Toronto awoke to news that due to an (illegal) wildcat strike there was to be no public transit. May other transit providers drastically raise prices or is such behaviour nothing more than price gouging of innocents who have limited…
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