03/10/2009 - 7:30pm to 03/10/2009 - 9:00pm

Location:
Chabad Jewish Center of Salem
Family Building Blocks
1135 Edgewater Street NW
Salem, OR 97304

Class Description:
This class is a course on the book of Exodus. Each week we will examine a topic from that week's Torah Portion that provides insight into our courses topic, which is: The experience of an enslaved Israelite nation on the path to becoming a free society provides a compelling springboard for the principles and values that define our people.

Gain insight and explore the Jewish perspective on dilemmas in business and workplace ethics. Learn how the Torah makes sense of the mighty dollar, balances Capitalism with compassion and infuses financial life with awareness and meaning.

A link for more information on this class is:
http://www.chabadsalem.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/483122/jewish/Torah-Studies-Course.htm

and a link to a summary of every class is:
http://www.torahstudies.com/courses.php?task=details&CID=32

This week's topic:
Ki Tisa: Mutual Obligations-Taxation in the Torah
Every government has certain obligations to all of its citizens, and no one would seriously argue that there is no need for a national defense, local police forces, courts of justice, the maintenance of roads, sewage and water systems, or public funds to prevent the poorest among us from starving to death. To pay for our common needs and obligations we have had taxes in one form or another since the beginning of human society, and the two basic issues about taxation have always been the same: What are truly public purposes, and how should those purposes be most equitably funded? In this week's class we will explore the fascinating issue of taxation in the Torah and halacha, and see how our Sages throughout Jewish history have grappled with the most important issues of defining our truly communal obligations, determining the fairest means of taxation to pay for them.

More Info:
If you have any questions or would like to sign up please contact Rabbi Perlstein by emailing him rabbi@chabadsalem.com or calling (503) 363-0522.

Cost:
$55 for the whole 10 week course or $8 per class. Price includes a handbook. Bring a friend or family member and revieve a 10% discount. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.