What are Ethics?
Ethics are associated with human morals and behaviours. They are the laws or rules of any religion. If you disobey them, there will be consequences. Though if you follow them, you will be rewarded. Examples can be
In Judaism, law is know as the Halakah. Most of these laws are taught either in the Torah or by a Rabbis. Some of the basic ethical laws are
Laws given by the Torah are ALWAYS of a high nature and must be followed precisely.
- Life after death
- Going to heaven
- Good Karma
In Judaism, law is know as the Halakah. Most of these laws are taught either in the Torah or by a Rabbis. Some of the basic ethical laws are
- When washing your hands, wash from the tip of your fingers to your elbow.
- Not to curse a father or mother
- Not to have intercourse with another man's wife
- Not to slaughter an animal and its young on the same day
Laws given by the Torah are ALWAYS of a high nature and must be followed precisely.
Ethical Responsibilities
According to Maimonides, there are four types of people:
- The Natural Man: This man has good intentions. He acts instinctively towards other and attempts to respect every one. However he does not follow any formal moral code of action
- The Functional Ethicist: Seeks correct behaviour by avoiding extreme situations and controlling his passions.
- The Imitator of God: He who adopts God as his model, he makes careful decisions based on the rules of Halachah (code of the jewish law)
- The Chassid: Who is concerned with imitating God as his model, he makes careful decisions based on the rules of the Halachah
Work and Business Ethics
Jewish people have always been very good when it comes to business and money. According to the Talmud and Shabbat, dealing honesty in a business is the basis of good fortune. The Talmud also states that the path to Jewish wisdom can be achieved through the business world. Though if you are unfair in business endeavours the the consequences are equal to adultery.
Environmental Ethics
Genesis describes the beginning of life. God has made the environment open for humans to use. Though laws have been put in place to prevent the destruction of this beautiful world. Judaism especially has a heightened sensitivity to the environment. The law of the Shemittah is put in place every senveth year. During Shemittah the land is left to lie fallow and all agricultural activity, including plowing, planting, pruning and harvesting, is forbidden by Halakha. This is put in place so the earth can regenerate and become more fertile. The Jewish people believe its their responsibility to prevent the destruction of the environment.
Personal Relationship Ethics
The ideal Jew should be gentle in thought, word, outlook, feeling and action. They should also be compassionate and forgiving to others. The Rabbis claimed that, "the wellspring of all moral values was love". Without personal ethics people will be rude, misbehaved and shallow, and for you to succeed in life, you need people to like you and respect you. This is why the Jewish people follow personal ethics so closely.
The 10 Commandments
For Judaism, the ethics originate from the 10 commandments, given by Moses in the Book of Exodus. The 10 commandments are also know as the Decalogue. These commandments fall under two main categories:
These are the 10 commandments:
- The relationship between humans and God (the first two commandments)
- The relation between humans and other humans (rest of the commandments)
These are the 10 commandments:
- I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods
- Not take the Lords's name in vain
- No graven images or likenesses
- Remember the sabbath day
- Honour thy father and thy mother
- Thou shalt not kill
- Thou shalt not commit adultery
- Thou shalt not steal
- Thou shalt not bear false witness
- Thou shalt not covet
These ethics make up this Monotheistic belief, Judaism. They are the basis of all law in Israel. The other ethical commandments are the 613 Mitzvot. They sum up all the rules that where stated in the Torah, Talmud and many other Holy Books. Some occur for females and some for males. Thought mostly these rules apply for everyone. Though people believe that there where more than 613 rules. Unfortunately due to the Second Temple being destroyed, we are unable to clarify that.