The Economic Ethics of Judaism: Money, Nomadism, and Justice

This article examines Jacques Attali's thought on the economic ethics of Judaism, beginning with a philological analysis of concepts such as kessef. The author demonstrates how Hebrew terms for money are inextricably linked to desire, time, and social justice. The text examines Judaism's institutional transformation after the destruction of the Second Temple, emphasizing the crucial role of the Talmud in shaping the normative matrix for mobile capital. Nomadism is presented as the foundation of financial innovation and a specific approach to functional property, distinguishing this tradition from sedentary legal systems. The overall work constitutes a profound reflection on the relationship between biblical law and contemporary market economics, offering a substantive critique of neoliberalism based on traditional Jewish ethical writings and the biblical concept of distributive justice.