Thread by @JYuter

1. Time for a mini Twitter shiur.

Today's Topic: Why Torah isn't Socialism.

Strap in.

2. Yesterday I made the following comment and by popular request/demand, I'd like to try to justify it. (Please wait until the end before commenting)

https://twitter.com/JYuter/status/1156409717226446848

3. In order to validate my claim, we would need to define "capitalism" and "socialism" and find sources where Torah affirms and rejects elements of either. I think disproving capitalism is more trivial so I won't be dealing with that here.

4. For defining "Socialism" I'm going to use @MerriamWebster's definitions. Bec this is difficult enough as it is, I'll be focusing on the first two definitions re ownership and skip discussions about Marxist theory
merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soc…

5. Regarding the "Torah" part of the equation, I will be basing my sources on Biblical and Rabbinic texts. In my tradition these are authoritative, but for others they're at least canonical enough to be part of the conversation

6. I am in no way claiming to be comprehensive, but for my purpose here I do not need to be. I just need to show where sources contradict fundamental principles of socialism such to demonstrate Torah and socialism are not synonymous.

7. Where things get complicated is that Torah defines economic, political, religious, and moral rules. These are tightly integrated such that it does not always make sense to separate the categories.

8. The ideal political structure of Torah is not socialism, but something closer to a constitutional monarchy. Per Deut. 17:14-15: sefaria.org.il/Deuteronomy.17…

9. Notably, the only time I'm aware of where the Torah *prohibits* accumulation of excess wealth is for the king. Form Deut. 17:17:
sefaria.org.il/Deuteronomy.17…

10. But let's set aside the monarchy aspect and focus on economics. The arguments in favor of a "Jewish socialism" tend to focus on the commandments regarding charity, or economic laws such as the abrogation of loans every 7 years and return of most property every 50 years.

11. The question is, do these commandments imply "Socialism" as defined above which negates personal/private property?

12. Regarding the spiritual side of things, we find that the Talmud strikes a balance between one verse which attributes ownership of the land to God and another which states God gave it to man. From Berakhot 35a-b: sefaria.org.il/Berakhot.35a.2…

13. Now, it's worth noting that the rules of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years regarding an economic "reset" only applies in the land of Israel, and even then under certain circumstances.

14. One could reasonably argue that this is tied to the special sanctity of Israel to the Jewish people, but it is clearly not a *universal* principle.

15. But the big reason why Judaism is not Socialism is that Torah unequivocally affirms private property. First example, private property is the basis for the Noahide prohibition against stealing. From Sanhedrin 57a: sefaria.org.il/Sanhedrin.57a.…

16. Next, we have the Pasuk from Hamilton about everyone getting their *own* vine and fig tree.

(Actually Micah 4:4, and more cute than an argument).
sefaria.org.il/Micah.4.4?lang…

17. For the most direct rejection of Socialism in Judaism I can think of off the top of my head, I want to give a little backstory.

18. A book recently published by the CCAR of Reform Judaism called "Moral Resistance and Spiritual Authority" includes "core values," one of which is the following (Kindle Loc 579)

19. Here's an excerpt from the footnote in which part of the basis for the argument of "distributive justice" in Judaism is Mishna Avot 5:10.

20. Let's take a look at Mishna Avot 5:10, shall we? Note that there are actually 4 types of people mentioned. The above citation references the opinion that the one who says "what's mine is mine and yours is yours" is like Sodom

21. But the *VERY SAME MISHNA* is critical of those who lay claim to other's property. The one who says "what's yours is mine and mine is yours" is an ignoramus! And the one who doesn't reciprocate is *wicked!*

22. So while Judaism absolutely requires people to give charity and support each other, the obligation to give does not imply another's entitlement to take. Indeed, M. Bava Batra 9:4 explicitly states you can't sue for "acts of kindness"
sefaria.org.il/Mishnah_Bava_B…

23. Now, if we're going to advocate that the power of the state ought to be used coerce people to fulfill their Jewish obligations, we'd have a basis for that per Ketuvot 86a-b, but I'm not sure we want to go there.
sefaria.org.il/Ketubot.86a.10…

24. On the other hand, for those who wish to associate taxes and tzedakah/charity, please see my Twitter shiur dedicated to that complicated relationship.

https://twitter.com/JYuter/status/880123589814501376

25. There's way more which needs to be discussed, particularly the ethical underpinnings, At the very least, I believe I've shown that Torah does not match the dictionary definition of socialism.

26. For more on the complexities of the ethical economics of Torah, please see my class/shiur series on Economics and Social Justice in Jewish law.
joshyuter.com/2011/04/11/pod…

27. Thank you for reading, and have a lovely day.