Twinn Swan

The ups and downs of the economy prove Rabbi Daniel Lapin’s famous principle that the more things change, the more we need to depend upon the things that never change. In his book Thou Shall Prosper, Rabbi Lapin offers a practical approach to creating wealth based on the established principles of ancient Jewish wisdom. The book’s focus is on making accessible to individuals of all backgrounds, the timeless truths that Jews have used for centuries to excel in business.

Rabbi Daniel Lapin, known widely as America’s Rabbi, is a noted rabbinic scholar, best-selling author and TV host. He is president of the American Alliance of Jews and Christians, author of America’s Real War, Thou Shall Prosper and other best-sellers. A frequent guest on Fox News, WallBuilders Radio, and Glenn Beck TV, he hosts his own popular radio and podcast programs with audiences world-wide. With his wife, Susan, he hosts the weekly television show Ancient Jewish Wisdom on the TCT Television Network. Pairing his inheritance as a descendant of a multi-generational rabbinical family with his background in science and business, he teaches ancient Jewish wisdom in an unparalleled manner.

The Mercantile recently had the opportunity to speak with Rabbi Lapin regarding our favourite topic: the family-owned enterprise. Here’s what I learned.

Dipa: In Asia, where I’m from, the business world still predominantly consists of family-owned enterprises.

From the vendor in a street market to the large conglomerates that boast tall buildings in the city; the family business, in many ways, still reigns supreme.

What is one lesson from the Bible that people who own and run family businesses should always keep in mind?

Rabbi Lapin: The raising of children and their preparation for being able to take a meaningful place in a family enterprise depends as much upon their spiritual qualifications as upon their physical.

As healthy as they need to be in body and as educated with facts and knowledge as is common today, they also need wisdom, values, and spiritual strength. Qualities such as perseverance, diligence, integrity, courage and resilience are not obtainable from school.

It is the unique role of a family to inculcate these important attributes.

America has many examples of great families who failed in this duty and whose children dissipated their own energies, those of the family, and those of the business. This is the one most important Biblical principle.

Stating it is easier than accomplishing it. My course on how to inculcate these characteristics in your children from the earliest age is valuable and popular.

Dipa: In your book, you write that, “Other professions don’t get blamed the same way that business does.” Leaders, particularly the ones who own and run businesses, are ‘demonised’ by the very people for whom they create wealth. I have always felt this rather hypocritical.

How can leaders ensure a healthy relationship with the money that they are distributing to those who appear not only to dislike them, but also their wealth?

Rabbi Lapin: It is important for leaders not only to run the company in executive fashion but also to educate the company to the desired culture.

As long as associates believe money to be material and fail to deeply understand the spiritual nature of human economic exchange, their views on money will always tend to the cynical at best and become solidly hostile at worst.

As I explain at great length, if money is material, then the only way of obtaining it is by taking it from others which casts a dark light upon business and entrepreneurial activity.

Dipa: For some reason, the story of Joseph, in particular, tended to make me think of God’s long-distance succession plan. Joseph is abandoned by his own family, but in the end, he finds himself the torch bearer of an even greater destiny.

This is a familiar story for many who branch off from their family of origin. In the modern world, this could be due to circumstances or due to a conscious choice.

In your book, you talk about how Reuben failed in his duty as a leader. What can we learn about forgiveness, reconciliation and even having faith in a greater plan when there appears to be none?

Rabbi Lapin: The chief starting place to explore your important question is the difference between people and animals. It is crucial to determine that we humans are not merely another point on the continuum of planetary existence.

We are bigger than goldfish and smaller than whales. We are stronger than rabbits but weaker than orangutangs. We are faster than tortoises but slower than deer. No, it is important to wrap ourselves around the fundamental truth that we are a singular and unique species.

The most important aspect of this distinction is that whereas a cat or a cow, or a camel or a kangaroo will tomorrow still be a cat or a cow or a camel or a kangaroo. But a human can transform himself in an instant.

Sometimes this is through religious redemption sometimes through an act of wilful individual commitment but whatever drives it, we unlike animals are not condemned to live tomorrow as we did yesterday.

What we do today makes the difference.

Dipa: In prior generations, elders would take on a mentorship role as they passed the baton to the next generation. They were generally the ones who raised their grandchildren.

As early retirement starts to be espoused as an ideal and we increasingly start living in a nuclear family, I’m secretly worried about us ‘losing’ a very valuable part of our traditional culture.

When steps can leaders take to ensure a tradition of both change and continuity?

Rabbi Lapin: Everyone, family members, associates and social contacts must be helped to view the importance of time and its three elements of past, present, and future. It is entirely natural for people to feel the present through pain and pleasure but far fewer focus on the future.

We admire people who can defer gratification in the present in the interests of bettering the future.

The hardest element of time to grasp is the importance of past. Whether in a family or an enterprise, the story of the past must be enshrined in the hearts and minds of all stakeholders.

Dipa: Thank you Rabbi Lapin, for penning such a wonderful book. Our team loved it.