Rabbi Louis Jacobs

In traditional Judaism, work is regarded as necessary — and better than idleness — but is not an intrinsic good.

What is unfair competition in business? There are many Jewish answers.

The ancient rabbinic sages did not see degradation of the natural environment as a systemic problem: but we can learn from their legislation addressing the more local environmental issues of which they were aware.

The Bible would have us offer reproof to others when we ourselves have been wronged; the ancient rabbis encouraged wider use of this sort of speech.

Jewish law's response to slander over the ages moved from strong disapproval to imposing real communal consequences.

The act of speaking an oath or a vow aloud gives it binding force in traditional Jewish law.

Jewish thinking tries to strike a balance between responsibility and forgiveness.

The rabbinic sages and later philosophers and mystics offered many ways to categorize the mitzvot and explain their significance.

Rabbinic sources, both ancient and modern, suggest that tzedakah plays an important role in the spiritual life of the donor.

Some festivals are two days in the Diaspora, but only one day in Israel.