Excessive love of money brings out the worst in us

Rabbi Jay Kelman

A few months ago, I wrote of the story of Dan Price, CEO of Gravity Payments, who introduced a minimum wage of $70,000 for all 120 of his employees – and lowered his salary to the same $70,000. I was saddened to see that his brother is suing him, arguing that his rights as a minority shareholder are being violated and that his brother is in breach of his contract and duties. The case is scheduled to go to court in 2016.

It might well be that, from a purely legal point of view, the brother is correct – that’s something the courts will decide. This is especially so if one follows the mantra of the economist Milton Friedman that the “business of business is business.” The sole role of a business entity,  he argues, is to maximize profits for “shareholders.” A business may not divert funds for social engineering, charity, world peace or any other non-profit-making venture. They were created for one purpose, to make money for the stakeholders. All profits should either be reinvested in the business or distributed to the owners of the business. It is then up to them and them alone to decide how those monies will be spent. 

One can debate the merits of this approach – and there is some merit to it – but this is irrelevant in the case at hand. Jewish ethics, while rooted in law, can never be made a slave to it.

I write these words a couple days before Tisha b’Av the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. In a rather astonishing statement, the Talmud claims that “Jerusalem was destroyed only because people meticulously followed the law.” 

Strange as it sounds, upholding the law can lead to destruction and exile. This is because no legal system can account for all the contingencies that may arise in a particular case. Law develops principles, which work in most cases, but at times, while the law is technically served, a much greater injustice occurs. The law cannot take into account one’s background, wealth, family history and other factors that shape our actions. The law can’t, but we must. While the law can only judge the case before us – and must be applied in the same manner to all, regardless of extenuating circumstances – people can, and at times should, waive their legal rights. It was this refusal to do so, to act lifnim meshurat hadin, beyond the letter of the law, that led to the breakdown of society and the subsequent exile. 

Suing one’s brother for increasing employees’ salary beyond market value to the point where research says we reach emotional well-being and financial stability, while at the same time lowering his own salary, is an awful thing to do, regardless of its legal merit.

Jewish law forbids the testimony of brothers in a court of law. This has nothing to do with believability – as Talmud notes, it would apply even to Moses and Aaron – and everything to do with preserving harmony within families. What would it do to a family if one brother goes to jail based on the testimony of the other? We can rely on the testimony of others. And if we have none other, it’s better that complete justice be denied than for families to split. There is not much sadder to behold than family members suing each other in court, a spectacle we see far too often.

Our sages saw hatred among Jews as the factor that led to the destruction and exile some 2,000 years ago. A society ripped apart internally is ripe for others to take over. Yet, the Jerusalem Talmud offers what appears to be – but in reality is not – an alternate explanation: that the roots of destruction were due to an excessive love of money. Nothing brings out the worst in people more than money. And there is little that can benefit society more than money used properly. n

Comments to [email protected]