Divine Economics
by: Rabbi Dov Berkovitch

The basic foundation of belief-based Jewish economy is that the entire world belongs to G-d. When this foundation is realized and applied, we receive abundance as a result of our labors and also an added abundance from Heaven.

Is My Property Really Mine?

The intersection at which we can change our present consumer economy to a Divine economy is at our perspective on property. Even when we purchase a product or work for it, our basic consciousness must be that everything in this world belongs to G-d. When this consciousness is applied, we see the product in a holy light, and make use of it to bring more holiness into the world. By relating in this manner to our possessions, we create a Divine economy.

In Leviticus 25:8, the Torah commands us to institute the Jubilee, which grounds us in the consciousness that the earth and everything in it belongs to G-d.

According to the Torah, any land leased to a renter must return to its owner in the Jubilee year, with the exception of land in designated cities, which may be sold and does not return to its original owner. In this way, the Torah allows for an urban society in which the consciousness that all belongs to G-d is expressed by proper usage of the resources that G-d gives to us in order to create a G-dly reality in an urban setting.

Natural Resources and the Fruits of our Labors

The consciousness that everything in this world belongs to G-d is reinforced by the Torah laws that direct a person who works the land to give part of the fruits of his labors to the poor and another part to G-d's dwelling place – the Temple and the priests. There is a clear distinction made between the produce growing in the fields prior to harvest and produce that has already been harvested. The pre-harvested produce is considered by the Torah to be a natural resource, and any poor person is allowed to enter the field (which, after all, belongs to G-d) and to harvest for himself from designated areas. Once the produce has been harvested, it is considered to be the property of the farmer. At this point, the farmer is commanded to give a part of the produce to the poor person of his choice as well as to the priest in the Holy Temple.

This distinction between natural resources and the fruits of our labors can also be applied in a modern Jewish economy. Natural resources are not the personal property of any individual or company, government, etc. These natural resources should be available without charge to the poor. In our day, we can say that water and electricity are basic natural resources that should be provided to the poor free of charge.