20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Time Management and Ethics in the Marketplace, May 25, 2000
This review is from: The Kabbalah of Money: Insights on Livelihood, Business, and All Forms of Economic Behavior (Hardcover)
In many ways THE KABBALAH OF MONEY is more about time management than it is about money. A theme that weaves its way through the book is that the optimal use of one's time is to devote it to study and learning - not just any studying, however, but the study of the Torah. In Jewish tradition, time is to be divided between study, work, and physiological needs (eating, sleeping, elimination, and leisure). All of our free time, once our work and physiological needs have been met should be devoted to study.
In this book, Rabbi Bonder brings together his knowledge of the working of the "marketplace" with Jewish ethical teachings, Talmudic Interpretations, teachings of the Hasidic Masters, Jewish Mysticism, and logical analysis. Here, marketplace is variously described as: a market of exchanges and interactions which represents "the infinite quantity of small and great businesses that take place in the universe at any given minute" and as a place where "each individual's fitness to survive is in accordance with his or her own perception of what survival is."
In keeping with the time theme, one of the problems to be faced has to do with devoting one's time to amassing wealth. In other words, how much is too much? Time that is spent with the objective of accumulating wealth (beyond that which meets our own needs and is beneficial to others) represents a two pronged loss. First of all, the creation of this type of wealth creates an offsetting scarcity. Secondly it involves wasting time that could, and should, be better spent in study. In contemporary terms, the accumulation of excess wealth is not ecologically sound.
Another area of discussion is the relationship of God to the marketplace. Rabbi Bonder states that "when a person prays only for material gains his pleas and efforts are wasted. This is because a curtain is brought down between himself and God as a result of material things having been brought into the domain of the spirit.
This book has had an impact on the way I conduct my life. Before reading it, my standard reaction to anyone asking for a handout was a knee-jerk reaction that he'll probably just use it to get drunk. After reading Bonder's section on dealing with beggars and how these dealings affect the marketplace, I came to 2 realizations:
1. So what if he does use it for drink. He probably needs the drink more than I need the dollar.
and
2. Who am I to judge anyway.
I highly recommend this book. In spite of its brevity it's not an easy read. I have barely touched the surface of a few of the concepts of what the dust jacket refers to as "a broad and ethical view of economic behavior including all forms of exchange and human interaction, from how we spend our money to how we fulfill our role as responsible human beings in a global ecological framework."
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Kabbalah of Money-- A Critical Review, March 29, 2005
The Kabbalah of Money is an essential book for anyone who's interested in increasing their personal wealth, improving the quality of life ("tikkun haOlom") or desires insight into the inner workings of successful living.
I've read and re-read this book multiple times since I bought in back in August, 2004. To say it is a business book "...Money" would indeed be a disservice to the reader and Rabbi Bonder. This book is about, first and foremost, understanding how one's behavior-- by thought, speech and action-- influences the environment for good or otherwise.
Let me also point out that it does address business issues, but it does so with ample does of Talmudic wisdom. And, to my pleasure, it is not overly heavyhanded in its scope.
The book does not teach the how to's of getting into business, but the ethical and spiritual aspects. So, for instance, if one is a fan of Mr. Donald "The Art of the Deal" Trump, it would behoove you to have a copy of this while you're watching The Apprentice. It's akin to The Power of Positive Thinking and/or Enthusiasm Makes the Difference by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, but with the obvious Jewish foundation.
I highly recommend this book, it is a gem and its rewards are hidden in its pages.
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