Talmudic and Ethical Approaches to Soviet Jewish Resettlement

Publication Date: January 1990

Publisher: Conference of Jewish Communal Service (U.S.)

Author(s): Norman Linzer

Research Area: Culture and religion; Population and demographics

Keywords: Ethics; Immigration; Allocations

Type: Report

Abstract:

In resettling large numbers of Soviet refugees, the Jewish community is faced with the ethical dilemma of responding with sensitivity to their needs while meeting its financial obligations to all its constituents. An examination of four Talmudic stories reveals that the Sages endorsed the imposition of parameters on individual and communal philanthropy. Cost-saving resettlement policies are one means of applying the principle of Tzedekah.