Occupy Torah
What if every 50 years you had to give any land that you possessed back to its original owner? The Torah’s ancient economics required it. And what if every 7 years all debts were forgiven? The Torah’s ancient economics required that too. The second one is called Shmita and the first one is called Yovel. As a matter of fact the term “Jubilee,” which today connotes a different meaning, is a translation of Yovel. So when we see people “occupy Wall Street” or parks or other cities, when we observe a growing population of disparity between wealth and poverty, we must be aware of the Jewish ideal of preventing the accumulation of land and wealth in the hands of the few.
This Shabbat Eve, at our 6:15pm service, I will explore a Jewish approach to the “Occupy” movement. More to come!