Jewish Entrepreneurs

An address to the supporters of the Machne Israel Development Fund

The Sages tell us that the word “Elul” forms an acronym: “Ani l’Dodi v’Dodi Li – I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.” At this time of the year, a Jew can see and feel G-d’s profound love, especially when G-d has already blessed him with a successful livelihood.

Each of you has no doubt utilized your success not only in your business, but also in your true “business” as a human being: the harnessing of all your G-d-given talents. For a businessperson, this includes the constant drive to outdo past success. A Jew utilizes this drive not by competing with others, but by partnering with others and creating a bond of mutual love – “I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.”

Every Jew is commanded: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” A constantly-expanding business has no time to differentiate between “mine” and “yours,” and as a result, the partnership becomes stronger, tighter, and more intertwined – until the partners view each other as one and the same, sharing one endeavor and one success granted to them by the same G-d.