Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Conflict of Interest and the Talmud

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A core value of Judaism is leading an ethical life. The Talmud, an authoritative source on Jewish law and tradition, has a number of discussions that deal with honesty in business and decision-making. One motive that can cause individuals to be unscrupulous is the presence of a conflict of interest. This paper will define, discuss, and review five Talmudic concepts relevant to conflict of interest. They are (1) Nogea B’Davar (being an interested party), (2) V’hiyitem N’keyim (behaving to ensure that one is above suspicion) (3) Lifnei Iver (placing a stumbling block before the blind), (4) Shokhad (accepting a bribe), and (5) Geneivat Da’at (deception and undeserved goodwill). Case examples will be used to apply these Talmudic principles to contemporary business practice. This will include discussion of these Talmudic concepts as it applies to specific contemporary business examples relevant to the boardroom, accounting firms, investment banking, politics, and government. It may be impossible to eliminate all conflicts of interest. However, knowledge and awareness of these Talmudic principles can help individuals in business settings better address the ethical issues that they confront.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Axtman, K. and R. Scherer: 2002, ‚Enron Lapses and Corporate Ethics’, Christian Science Monitor, February 4, 2002, <http://csmonitor.com/2002/0204/p01s01-ussc.html> (Accessed August 3, 2005)

  • Friedman H. H. (1985) Ethical Behavior in Business; A Hierarchical Approach from the Talmud, Journal of Business Ethics 4:117–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, H. H.: 2002a, ‚Placing a Stumbling Block Before the Blind Person: An In-Depth Analysis’, Jewish Law, <http://www.jlaw.com/Articles/placingstumbling.html> (Accessed August 3, 2005)

  • Friedman, H. H.: 2002b, ‚Geneivat Da’at: The Prohibition Against Deception in Today’s World’, Jewish Law, <http://www.jlaw.com/Articles/geneivatdaat. html> (Accessed August 3, 2005)

  • Friedman H. H. (2005) Conflict of Interest: The Common Thread Underlying Ethical Lapses, Electronic Journal of Business Ethics and Organization Studies 10(1): 4–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Henriques, D. B. and G. Fabrikant: 2002, ‚Deciding on Executive Pay: Lack of Independence Seen’, The New York Times. December 18, pp. A1, C8

  • Klainman, R.: 2000, ‚Conflicts of Interest of Public Officials in Jewish Law – Prohibitions, Scope, and Limitations’, in H. G. Sprecher (ed.), Jewish Law Association Studies X: The Jerusalem 1998 Conference Volume (Global Publications of SUNY at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY), pp. 93–116

  • Levine A. (1987) Economics and Jewish Law. Yeshiva University Press/Ktav Publishing House, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, M. and M. Tamari: undated, ‚A Halakhic Corporate Code of Ethics’, Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility (BESR), <http://www.besr. org/library/halachiccode.htm> (Accessed August 4, 2005)

  • Wikipedia: 2005a, Jewish Principles of Faith, <http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_principles_of_faith#Scripture> (Accessed August 2, 2005)

  • Wikipedia: 2005b, Talmud, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmuds> (Accessed August 2, 2005)

  • Wikipedia: 2005c, Shulkhan Arukh, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shulchan_Aruch> (Accessed August 2, 2005)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, 218A, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11210, U.S.A.

    Joshua Fogel & Hershey H. Friedman

Authors
  1. Joshua Fogel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hershey H. Friedman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua Fogel.

Additional information

Joshua Fogel, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Business Program of the Department of Economics at Brooklyn College. He is the Business Program’s behavioral scientist. He has an interest in the interface of religion and business ethics and can be contacted at joshua.fogel@gmail.com.

Hershey H. Friedman, PhD, is a Professor in the Business Program of the Department of Economics at Brooklyn College. He has interest in business ethics and also the interface of religion and entrepreneurship. He currently is funded with a grant by the Kauffman Foundation to study religion and entrepreneurship.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fogel, J., Friedman, H.H. Conflict of Interest and the Talmud. J Bus Ethics 78, 237–246 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9327-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9327-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation