Rabbi Daniel Lapin: The Moral Goodness of Free Enterprise

We've discussed the moral case for free enterprise before; Rabbi Daniel Lapin has a lot more on the topic:

Highlights:

• In an ethical marketplace, making money is "a certificate of good performance, a mark of virtue."

• When people know something can be done, that makes all the difference....and Jews know it can be done.

• "We are not people with souls, we are souls with bodies."

• In a free market, you cannot make money unless you help another person

• When you make money, you are doing good. 

• When you serve another person and they give you money in exchange, everyone benefits.

• Profit comes from serving another of God's creatures.

• The process of economic transaction is related to the process of human interaction.

• God wants us to be obsessively preoccupied with the needs of other people.
• That's how you become wealthy.

• The old testament is filled with contractual relations. 

• Relationships produce profit.

• Relationships depend on the uniqueness of human beings.

• There can be no commerce among identical people.

• Free People are net creators, not consumers; people under Socialism are the opposite.

• The underlying story of the Tower of Babel is socialism.
• The Tower of Babel was the first Socialist Utopia.
• Identical Bricks instead of Unique Stones.
• Centralized Control from a Central Tower.

•  The Abrahamic model (capitalism) is based on giving.
• How can I bless other people?!?
• What can I do for other human beings?!?
• Fellowship and Fresh Cheeseburgers!