Jewish Business Ethics Quiz

Since the Torah forbade theft, Jews have struggled with how to approach more complicated issues like price regulation, Internet privacy, and globalization. How much do you know about Jewish business ethics?

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Question 1. To what do the rabbis relate the biblical phrase about "placing a stumbling block before the blind"?
 Caring for the physically handicapped
 Contributing to another person's transgression
 Being considerate with our possessions
 All of these
 None of these

 

Question 2. What is one of the most problematic aspects of Jews working in the field of banking?
 A Jew is not allowed to charge another Jew interest
 All the Talmudic laws only refer to Israeli currency
 In the Middle Ages, Jews were only allowed to do business with other Jews
 Contemporary banking deals with products as well as raw money

 

Question 3. What is the Hebrew term that describes the sale of an item at an excessively high or low price?
 Averah (literally, "forbidden")
 Tamei (literally, "impure")
 Kesher (literally, "connection")
 Ona'ah (literally, "oppression")

 

Question 4. What does marit ayin refer to?
 Breaking a minor law
 Giving the appearance of wrongdoing
 Praying for great wealth
 Stealing food that nobody will miss

 

Question 5. In the Talmud, what is robbing a person of even a penny comparable to?
 Claiming his or her food for Shabbat
 Taking his or her life
 Abducting his or her children
 Eating out of his or her home pantry

 

Question 6. Does the Torah provide laws about treating day laborers and physical workers fairly?
 Yes
 No

 

Question 7. Which of the following does Greco-Jewish philosopher Philo prohibit under "do not covet"?
 Greed for money
 Hunger for honor
 Sexual lust
 Gluttony
 All of these

 

Question 8. According to an adage in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers), who is wealthy?
 One who always has elegant food for Shabbat
 One who knows what the future holds
 One who has the respect of the community
 One who is happy with his lot

 

Question 9. Does the Jewish legal tradition distinguish between fair and unfair competition?
 Yes
 No

 

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