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At first glance, the worker/employer relationship is not one that is based on charity, as one earns his keep. However, the truth is that the two are quite related. The Rambam (Tzedaka 10:6) counts finding someone a job as the highest form of tzedaka because it makes it unnecessary for one to have to reach the position of accepting classical tzedaka. As people say, it is better to teach a person to fish than to give him a fish. We find an element of tzedaka in the workplace regarding the laws of ha’anaka, the parting present when one sets free his Jewish servant. The Sefer Hachinuch extends this concept to a worker who finishes his period of employment. If one should have concern for one’s former employee’s financial situation, all the more so is it correct to try to ensure that he is able to continue his employment as long as he likes and it is feasible.
When, during difficult financial times, one is forced to contemplate firing a worker, he should consider the following. Certainly a company’s CEO’s first commitment is to ensure the survival and thriving of the company. If refraining from firing will endanger these responsibilities in the foreseeable future, then mercy for one or more workers can endanger the livelihood of all of the workers. While hard times often mandate austerity plans, termination of a worker should be a last resort, after other possible steps. It is better, for example, to cut the salaries of workers than to fire some and turn them into needy people. One should also take into account the likelihood of the person who he is considering firing of finding other work (assuming he is still productive). Seniority is also a factor in determining whom to fire, due to the element of hakarat hatov (recognizing past favors received). Regarding tzedaka, one’s first responsibility is to relatives and so, in a privately owned firm, their employment should have precedence over others’.
During difficult financial times, everyone should look into his own moral shortcomings to see what part he had in society’s problems. Then he can and should turn to Hashem in prayer to improve matters. His sensitivity to others, though, is part of his moral obligation. (Many of these ideas are based on a responsum that will hopefully be published soon in our book, Bemareh Habazak, vol. VII.)
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.