Partnership

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The Need for Companionship

TANAKH

The inherent need for companionship is a fundamental aspect of human existence, as demonstrated by God's creation of a fitting counterpart for the first human. The book of Genesis, the first book of the Torah, narrates the creation of the world and the origins of mankind, including the story of Adam and Eve.

God יהוה said, “It is not good for the Human to be alone; I will make a fitting counterpart for him.”

Genesis 2:18

Partners in Creation

HALAKHAH

God intentionally created the world incomplete to provide humanity with the opportunity to perfect it, thereby allowing people to become God's partners in bringing goodness and complete happiness to the world. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s contemporary halachic work, Peninei Halakhah, discusses the sanctity of marriage and the mitzvah of procreation, emphasizing the partnership between humans and God in perfecting the world.

In order to more fully understand the sanctity of this mitzva, we must first explain that God wished to benefit humanity. He created the world incomplete, to provide people with the opportunity to perfect it and make it a better, happier place, and thereby to merit becoming God’s partner in everything good in the world and experiencing complete happiness in it.

Peninei Halakhah, Simchat Habayit U'Virkhato 1:5:2

Becoming God's Partners

COMMENTARY

We are called to be active participants in addressing wrongs and improving the world, rather than merely complaining. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks emphasizes the Jewish value of taking action and becoming God's partners in creation, reflecting the concept of 'Tikkun Olam' (repairing the world).

When we see something wrong, we can complain or we can act. Complaining does not change the world. Acting does. Judaism is God’s call to action, summoning us to become His partners in the work of creation.

Lessons in Leadership; A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible, Afterword; Seven Principles of Jewish Leadership 10

Mutual Support Between Diaspora and Israel

JEWISH THOUGHT

The Jewish communities in the Diaspora and the Land of Israel are in a continuous cycle of mutual support and regeneration. Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits, writing during the Holocaust, explores the reciprocal and interdependent relationship between these communities.

This division of labour between Galut and Eretz Israel does not imply a strict demarcation line between the two spheres of Jewish existence. For both, Galut and Eretz Israel, will be working out the same problem, each of them different parts of it, and only the contribution of both will provide the whole solution. Eretz Israel and Galut will be cause and effect to each other, and through continuous and reciprocal influence will together direct the way towards Jewish regeneration. The growing Jewish achievements in Eretz Israel will react more and more on the Galut…

Towards Historic Judaism, VII; Galut and Eretz Israel 2:1

A Divine Partnership

COMMENTARY

The partnership between David and Jonathan exemplifies selfless, divinely inspired friendship. Ovadiah Bartenura, a 15th-century commentator, explores the profound bond between David and Jonathan, highlighting Jonathan's willingness to support David's future kingship as an act of fulfilling God's will.

the love of David and Jonathan: [which was] to fulfill the will of their Maker. As Jonathan said to David, "You will be the king over Israel and I will be your second."

Bartenura on Pirkei Avot 5:16:3

The Equal Partnership of Moses and Aaron

MIDRASH

The partnership between Moses and Aaron is portrayed as one of mutual respect and equal significance, highlighting their complementary roles in leading Israel. The midrashic commentary Shir HaShirim Rabbah uses the allegorical language of Song of Songs to emphasize the balanced and nourishing relationship between Moses and Aaron.

“Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, that graze among the lilies” (Song of Songs 4:5).
“Your two breasts” – these are Moses and Aaron. Just as the breasts are the splendor and the glory of a woman, so too, Moses and Aaron are the splendor and the glory of Israel. Just as the breasts are the beauty of the woman, so too, Moses and Aaron are the beauty of Israel. Just as the breasts are the honor and praise of a woman, so too, Moses and Aaron are the honor and the praise of Israel…

Shir HaShirim Rabbah 4:5:1

Balancing Interests in Business Partnerships

TALMUD

The halakhic intricacies in business partnerships ensure compliance with the prohibition of interest while balancing the interests of both the investor and the manager. The Talmudic tractate Bava Metzia discusses the arrangement of sharing profits and losses in business ventures to avoid the prohibition of interest.

§ A common type of business venture was one where the capital or merchandise was supplied by one person and managed by another, who would receive a share, commonly half of the profits, for his efforts. This arrangement can also be viewed as one where the investor is lending half of the invested capital or merchandise to the manager, with the manager agreeing to supervise the venture in exchange for receiving the loan. In order to avoid violating the prohibition of interest, the investor agrees to accept a greater share of the possible loss, e.g., two-thirds, than of the profits, e.g., one-half…

Bava Metzia 104b:14

A Model Partnership

REFERENCE

The deep bond between Rav Papa and Rav Huna the son of Rav Joshua exemplifies the ideal partnership in both business and scholarly pursuits. This text highlights the lifelong friendship and collaboration between these two significant Amoraim, showcasing the collaborative nature of Talmudic study.

Rav Papa carried on his business affairs in partnership with Rav Huna the son of Rav Joshua, and the friendship of these two scholars was so great that they never parted from each other all their life, neither at home nor on journeys. And when Rav Papa later became head of the academy, Rav Huna the son of Rav Joshua was his ״ראש כלה״

The Jewish Spiritual Heroes, Volume III; The Amoraim of Babylon and the Babylonian Talmud, Rav Papa 2

The Power of Communal Learning

MUSAR

True growth in Torah and spirituality is achieved through a communal effort where each individual is committed to the development and well-being of their peers. Rabbi Yosef Yozel Horowitz, in his work 'Ma'amar Mezakeh HaRabim,' emphasizes the importance of mutual responsibility and interdependence among students in the learning process.

And if we observe further the act of Rebbi Chiya, wasn’t he able to easily find giants of Torah that knew all six [Orders of] the Mishnayos and could learn with all of them together? [Instead,] what was it to him that it should be done with the concept of “teach each other” and to make each one of his students fit and obligated to learn with his friend and his friend to him? Therefore, we need to say, it was only through making all of them obligated [to each other], that he would succeed in his lofty goal, for only through this would they continuously grow . And the intellect obligates this…

Ma'amar Mezakeh HaRabim 4:1

Building Strong Partnerships

HALAKHAH

Mutual respect, empathy, and positive communication are essential to prevent quiet animosity and cold wars in any partnership. Rabbi Sharon Shalom, in his work on the customs and laws of Ethiopian Jewry, emphasizes the importance of listening to understand and eliminating harmful actions in relationships.

Partnership based on the value of mutual respect, a listening ear, warmth, love, feelings, empathy, encouragement, empowerment, and emphasizing the positive can lead to a long-lasting relationship. We must listen carefully to our partners in order to understand, not out of defensiveness but out of a desire for true communication. We must also eliminate any act that harms. When people keep issues inside themselves, an argument can turn into quiet animosity and a cold war.

From Sinai to Ethiopia, Shulhan haOrit; The Halakhah of Ethiopian Jewry, Then and Now, 5 Bride, Groom, and Family 4:13

Dissolving a Partnership

RESPONSA

A partner has the right to dissolve a partnership if continuing it would result in financial loss. The 13th-century responsa of Maharam of Rothenburg addresses the practical and legal concerns of Jewish communities in medieval Europe, particularly regarding financial partnerships.

Q. A and B, who lived in the territory of one lord, lent money on a partnership basis. Without the permission of his lord, A moved away into the territory of another lord. His former lord became angry and said to B: "I shall help you to collect your part of the loans, but not A's part." May B retain for himself the part of the loan which he will collect?
A. B has a right to dissolve the partnership without A's consent if the continuation of the partnership will cause him a loss of money…

Teshuvot Maharam, Prague Edition 105:1

Building Fairness in Shared Spaces

TALMUD

The Talmud provides practical and detailed guidelines for constructing a partition in a jointly owned courtyard, ensuring fairness and clarity in shared ownership. The tractate Bava Batra, part of the Talmud, addresses civil laws, including the rules for building a partition wall in a shared courtyard, specifying materials and dimensions based on regional customs.

MISHNA: Partners who wished to make a partition [meḥitza] in a jointly owned courtyard build the wall for the partition in the middle of the courtyard. What is this wall fashioned from? In a place where it is customary to build such a wall with non-chiseled stone [gevil], or chiseled stone [gazit], or small bricks [kefisin], or large bricks [leveinim], they must build the wall with that material. Everything is in accordance with the regional custom.…

Bava Batra 2a:1-2

Holiness in Business

CHASIDUT

Conducting business with holiness, faith, and truthfulness is essential for ethical treatment of associates. Rabbi Nathan of Breslov’s prayer in Likutei Tefilot emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in business, reflecting Jewish values.

May I never cheat my associates, whether by overcharging them or verbally taking advantage of them. Help me conduct my business affairs with great holiness, perfect faith and absolute truthfulness.

Likutei Tefilot, Volume I 35:44

Flexible Business Partnerships

GUIDES

Business partnerships in Jewish law are practical and flexible, allowing individuals to create their own arrangements without requiring rabbinic intervention. The Babylonian Talmud, particularly in tractate Bava Metzia, addresses civil matters like property law and business ethics, reflecting the real-world concerns of Jewish communities.

An individual would often give a portion of his field to another to be worked. This person would work either as a sharecropper, who receives a certain percentage of the produce, or as a contractor, who gives a set amount of the produce to the owner. Generally speaking, individuals could contract business arrangements in any manner they chose, without the Sages intervening. The majority of the halakhic discussion in the chapter revolves around specific cases of these agreements, especially with regard to issues that are not explicitly dealt with in the written agreement.

Introductions to the Babylonian Talmud, Bava Metzia, Introduction to Perek IX 9

Dividing the Inheritance

COMMENTARY

Understanding the practical and legal aspects of partnerships is crucial, especially when it comes to dividing profits and losses among brothers sharing their father’s inheritance. The Mishnah Bava Batra, part of the Talmud, provides detailed guidance on civil law, including property and inheritance, and this specific Mishnah addresses the management and division of an inherited estate.

Introduction Mishnah four discusses partnerships between brothers sharing their father’s inheritance and the question of the division of the profits and losses to the partnership.

English Explanation of Mishnah Bava Batra 9:4:1

The Divine Intention Behind Companionship

SECOND TEMPLE

Philo of Alexandria explores the divine intention behind human companionship, emphasizing that it is not good for man to be alone. This ancient Jewish commentary provides allegorical interpretations of the Torah, reflecting Jewish thought and philosophy during the Hellenistic period.

Why God says, "It is not good for man to be alone; let us make him a help meet for him?" (Genesis 2:18). By these words God intimates that there is to be a communion, not with all men, but with those who are willing to be assisted and in their turn to assist others, even though they may scarcely have any power to do so; since love consists not more in utility than in the harmonious concord of trustworthy and steadfast manners; so that every one who joins in a communion of love may be entitled to utter the expression of Pythagoras, "A friend is another I."

The Midrash of Philo 2:18:1-2

The Spiritual Rewards of Partnership

KABBALAH

The Zohar reveals the profound spiritual and generational rewards of partnership, emphasizing the lasting legacy and benefits for both children and their fathers in the world to come. This central work of Jewish mysticism, attributed to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, explores esoteric interpretations of the Torah and delves into the nature of God, the soul, and creation.

The passage quoted above continues: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour” (Eccl. 4, 9), alluding to those who have performed the duty of leaving children in this world, for whose sake they inherit a portion in the world to come.

Zohar, Vayeshev 16:175

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