Accountable

A Torah Guide to Fiscal Responsibility

Boruch Clinton

Perhaps you’re curious about money and how the rabbis (Chazal) – whose advice touched all areas of human life – expected us to handle our wealth. What can wealth do for you and what does it “expect” back in return? What effects do well-known but complicated Torah concepts like “mazal” and “ayin hara’ah” have on us in our daily lives?
Perhaps you’re worried about your financial future. How much time and effort is appropriate to spend preparing for needs that aren’t really “immediate”? Is there anything you can do right now to avoid having to face serious pressures later? Are there healthy attitudes that make financial success more likely?
Perhaps your family is already struggling with heavy expenses and troubling debt. What can be done to slow down and stop the slide towards disaster…and eventually reverse it? How can you make sure that, once out, you never, ever fall into that hole again?
Perhaps your community suffers under the weight of ever-increasing material standards. What can be done?
Are these things that concern you?
You are certainly not alone. The Torah does indeed have a great many wise things to say about economic health. “Accountable” contains at least some of that wisdom, along with practical guidance and discussions of some key related Torah principles.
“Accountable” (along with my “Working with Torah – a guide to employment“) tries to imagine what, in economic terms, the ideal Torah family and community would look like.
Understanding and keeping this vision firmly in mind, a Jew can confidently do his share towards living a responsible and secure life.

Contents

Rabbi Zev Leff’s haskama to “Accountable”

Practical Money Management

Thinking it Through: how a little careful planning can save you from disaster

Dealing With Debt

Orthodox Crime

Chazal’s Financial Planner

Rabbinical Reforms

Clothes: Dressing With Torah

Derech Eretz: Eating With Torah

The Goods: What Can Wealth Do for You?

Mazal: Getting the Straight Goods

Not Your Grandmother’s Ayin Haraah

White Donkeys and the Perfect Poverty

The Women of Mechuza (and their husbands)

You can buy a physical copy of this book if you’d prefer to read it that way

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