By Sheryl Rowling
SAN DIEGO–Q: Dear Money Maven, Is there more to business than making money? Ambitiously, Arnie
A: Dear Arnie, I must first disclose that I’m not a Rabbi. I’ve been a business owner for more than 25 years. And, I believe I am an ethical business owner. In general, you can make money ethically or not. The great thing about dealing ethically in business is that you never need to feel guilty and you can feel proud of what you accomplish.
In my Sunday School class (yes, I actually remember!), I learned the teachings of Rava: “When a person dies and is brought in for his final judgment, he is asked ‘Were you faithful in your business dealings?’” As an impressionable kid, I took that to heart. Here are some business guidelines from the Book of Leviticus
You shall not falsify measures of length, weight or capacity. Whether you sell groceries by weight or bill for services hourly, your charges should be correct and not inflated.
On monetary deception: When you sell anything to your neighbor or buy anything from your neighbor, you shall not deceive one another. Simply, don’t lie about what you are selling!
On verbal deception, as interpreted in the Mishnah: Just as there is deception in buying and selling, there is deception in words. A person should not say to a merchant “How much does this cost?” if he has no intention of buying it. The example here is not to ask for a demonstration at a retail store when you are planning to buy the product at a warehouse store. In other words, don’t make someone vie for your business when you aren’t planning to buy.
On false packaging, as interpreted by the Talmud: One should not put the nicer and fresher beans at the top of the bushel because he is deceiving the eye by making the customer think that the entire bushel is full of those nice beans. Don’t “bait and switch.” Even if you are providing services, don’t promise to do the work yourself and then delegate everything to a lower level employee.
You shall not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling block before the blind. In other words, don’t take advantage of people!
You see, Arnie, it all comes down to the “Golden Rule.” Treat others as you would want to be treated!
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Sheryl Rowling is a certified public accountant, personal finance specialist, and principal of Rowling & Associates. She may be contacted via sheryl.rowling@sdjewishworld.com