Jewish Business Code - 12 Diamond Business Principles Held Sacred by Jewish Merchants

Author: Fan Chengming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Hardship Forges Greatness
Although the Jewish people regard themselves as God's "chosen people," and their excellence and prosperity are known to all, they have endured immense suffering. From the harsh rule of the Romans in the 1st century AD, to the plunder of Jews during the medieval Crusades, to the discrimination and suppression they faced in various European countries, and ultimately the mass murder of millions of Jews by the Nazis during World War II, the Jewish people have suffered physically and spiritually. It can be said that the Jewish people are the most persecuted nation in the world. Yet perhaps the very that drives them to succeed is the torment and hardship they have endured for over 2,000 years, which has bound them together more tightly. It has made them realize the importance of family education; it has forced them to choose commerce or the arts instead of industry or agriculture; it has given them a strong motivation to surpass others; and it has cultivated many of their virtues, such as patriotism, faithfulness, frugality, and commercial wisdom, among others. Throughout history, despite being oppressed and enslaved by foreign rulers time and again, the Jewish people have always risen again through pure economic means. In the eyes of many rulers, Jewish merchants became their panacea for escaping difficulties. Whenever the economy was in a downturn, they would summon Jewish merchants, but once the economy recovered, the monarchs would seize their wealth and drive them away. Such events occurred frequently in France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and other countries, with Jewish merchants being called back and expelled repeatedly. In this constant cycle of unpredictability, Jewish merchants were constantly tested by blood and fire, and their merchant qualities were subjected to the most rigorous training and selection, forcing them to continuously improve their business skills. After repeated trials, the Jewish people "achieved enlightenment" and ultimately became recognized as the "world's greatest merchants." Perhaps the Jewish people are not naturally skilled in business—it was their harsh environment that shaped them. If their homeland had not been destroyed, their business talents might have developed in other directions. Why are the Jewish people so resilient? The Talmud poses a question: The human eye is composed of black and white parts, yet why does God allow people to see only through the black part? The answer is: Because one must pass through darkness to see the light. This is the Jewish view of adversity: no matter how great the suffering, they will always survive with resilience.
The Talmud also says, "Having ten worries is better than having only one." Because a person with ten worries no longer fears additional worries, whereas someone with only one worry will be constantly troubled, fearing that more worries will follow. This fear of the future is the most tormenting kind.
The Jewish people also have a habit—commemorating days of defeat, which are days of humiliation. Most holidays of other nations carry a celebratory meaning, but most Jewish holidays are meant to remember the suffering and failures they have endured. On each of these holidays, they recall the failures of their ancestors, using it as a warning and a source of self-motivation. As a result, some mock the Jewish people, saying they are