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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 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
