Topics: Jewish Business Ethics - 15423 - JUDS 1501 - C

Abstract

Goals and objectives: This course is intended to introduce the students to a selection of issues that pertain to Jewish Law as regards Business conduct, to expose the student to a set of rulings and decisions of poskim and batei din on various business matters, and to sensitize the student to the kinds of situations that can require halachic guidance in these areas. In support of these, we will learn some significant terms and concepts of business-related halacha and outlook. Assessment: The student will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the terms and concepts covered in class, and use them appropriately as warranted, and be able to apply them in intelligent discussion of novel situations. There will be a midterm and final as per schedule, as well as periodic quizzes perhaps weekly or biweekly. Course Outline: As this is an int / adv level course, we will be able to discuss the topics using the Hebrew terms and assuming a familiarity with the basics of halacha. However, any readings that are assigned will be in English. Although some of what we learn in class will be from primary, original sources, such as the Gemara, Rambam, and Shulchan Aruch, most of what we learn will come from contemporary material such as journal articles, essays, legal decisions and even blog posts. Three websites from which we will draw most of our class material are businesshalacha.com, torah.org/series/business-halacha, and bethdin.org. We will aim to cover one or two topics per week.