Sadly, our community has seen its fair share of Ponzi schemes, phony investments, and thieves who prey on fellow members of their kehilla; We all know the names of the most infamous schemers and scammers that have wrought havoc in our community. Some have been jailed, but others have been “bailed out” to prevent prison time and “mesira.”
Many readers may not know this, but there were at least five Ponzi schemes and frauds exposed in just the past few weeks.
I have to assume by the tone of the wrtier and the communities he says were involved that he is talking about the Charedi world.
This is of course not to say that it only happens there. It happens in MO and non Jewish communities as well. But that it happens so frequently in the Charedi world says something about the Chinuch (or lack of it) of a community that considers itself to be the most religious in Orthodox world. Five Ponzi schemes and frauds exposed in just the past few weeks?! Need I say more?
I wish I could say that I am shocked by this. But I’m not. It has been reported in the media so many times, that it almost seems like the new normal.
I don’t know what kind of conscience guides people to - for example - use only Chalav Yisroel and at the same time consider it perfectly fine to defraud their neighbors. Sometimes to the point of cheating them out of their life savings. Apparently more than a few people become easy targets because of the trust they place in religious looking Jews promising them the world
How to explain this. I think it a lot of it can be explained as a failure of their Chinuch. I have been to enough lectures in these communities to know what is emphasized and what is not. What is heavily emphasized is the spirituality of Bein Adam L’Makom (BALM) - Man’s relationship with God. While giving short shrift to Bein Adam L’Chavero (BALC) - Man’s relationship with their fellow man.
What gets drilled into them the most by their educators and rabbinic leaders is how important Torah study is, and how much one must sacrifice for it. Or to support Torah institutions with their time and money. Or to support your sons and sons-in-law in Kollel. Or how important prayer is and to have ever greater concentration when doing it. Or the importance of being as meticulous as possible in keeping Shabbos and Kashrus. Or to use only Chalav Yisroel products. Or the importance of avoiding at all cost the ‘values of the street’. By which they mean the immorality that characterizes much of the general culture.
l am not devaluing any of these lessons in pursuit of a greater connection to God. But as important as they are - their educators do a disservice to that goal by not paying enough attention (if any) to BALC.
I wonder if the words Derech Eretz Kodma LaTorah are ever uttered. And even if they are, I wonder how they are interpreted. Do they ever talk about how evil and unGodly it is to cheat your fellow man – even if he is not Jewish? Let alone if he is a religious Jew whose life savings might be at stake?
Of course I’m sure these schemers and fraudsters know better than to scam people out of their money. But they probably rationalize it all away. With thoughts like an improved ability to give more charity and support more religious institutions. What about the poor ‘suckers’ who buy into their schemes? Well... Caveat Emptor.
I know there has been efforts of late by religious leaders to instill some BALC values into their people. I have heard it myself. But it’s a bit late for that. The lack of it until relatively recently has taken its toll. And it keeps happening as the YWN letter writer noted.
Is great wealth inherently evil? No. Judaism is neutral about that. If earned it honestly - one can do a lot of good with it. But seeking great wealth is not the goal of a Jew. Seeking a relationship with God is our goal. Or at least it should be. But the greed that often motivates fraud can easily upend one’s search for a relationship with God.
Therein lies the problem. Greed (for lack of a better word) is NOT good. The Torah forbids greed. That is what the prohibition of coveting your neighbors property is all about.
But greed is the fuel of fraud. It is what motivates fraudsters and Ponzi schemers. And it is what motivates people to invest in non existent business ventures with unscrupulous Jews. Promises of a quick and easy profit by a religious looking Jew makes a lot of people easy marks for their fake investment schemes.
I believe if their Chinuch would include an even dose of BALC to go along with their BALM there would be a lot less of this kind of thing. This way everyone would benefit and there would be less Chilul HaShem.