Yosher Award
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does “Yashrut” (“Yosher”) mean?
Yashrut is the moral sanctification of our social relationships. This requires that justice and righteousness are brought to bear in all of our inter-personal relationships. It means that we avoid even the slightest trace of dishonesty in our business dealings and personal life, and that we strive to treat others with dignity and respect, mindful of the fact that each individual is created in the image of G-d. To be yosher is to be honorable in all of our interpersonal relationships - business or otherwise.
Why do we need this?
Judaism has always required ethical and moral behavior in every aspect of a Jew’s life. Implementing these values in the business world is incumbent upon all Jews who engage in business and commerce. Many of us spend the majority of our lives in the workplace, and in that context have the opportunity to connect with numerous other people, thereby impacting the lives of many others -Jew and non-Jew alike. When Jewish businesspersons bring yashrut to their professional lives they are materializing in their day-to-day work the commandment to “Love G-d with all your heart, all your soul and all your might.” They are actualizing their dedication to Hashem by utilizing their might to treat everyone they encounter with honesty, dignity and respect. We want to honor those who bring yashrut to their place of business and in doing so elevate the lives of others, sanctify G-d’s name (Kiddush Hashem) and demonstrate loving-kindness to all. The Gemarrah explains that the first question that will be asked at the gates of heaven is whether one conducted one’s business honestly (Shabbat 31a). The Ramban reminds us that we can be in full compliance with the law but still be a naval birshut haTorah - a scoundrel within the bounds of Torah. We must never forget the command that should guide us in every act of our lives - V'asita hayashar v'hatov - You shall do what is righteous and what is good.
Who may nominate someone?
Anyone may submit a nomination, and anyone can be nominated, but please bear in mind the criteria listed in our Nomination Form (The Guiding Values) which describes the criteria that we are seeking in an ideal nominee and which will be used to judge our nominees.
What criteria (Guiding Values) does someone need to meet to be nominated?
1. Responsible Corporate Citizen (Ikar HaDin)
a. Obeys US law
b. Obeys Jewish law
c. Works in a responsible industry
2. Goes Above & Beyond in Business (Lifnim Mishurat HaDin)
a. Recognized as an industry leader in worker treatment and benefits
b. Acts respectfully to others in workplace
c. Maintains strong labor & environmental practices
3. Goes Above & Beyond Outside of Business (Kiddush Hashem)
a. Philanthropically generous
b. Supports Jewish and Non-Jewish charities
c. Serves on Boards of philanthropies
d. Personally represents the Jewish people well (Kiddushei Hashem) and lives by Jewish values.
What is the process for reviewing the nominees and selecting a winner?
The judges - a panel of distinguished leading experts in Jewish business ethics who come from the worlds of academia, religious life and business - will utilize a pre-defined set of metrics, based on the criteria mentioned above to score each nominee and select a winner. The award will be given to the nominee who, in the determination of the judges, most clearly fulfills his/her ethical, moral and social commitment to the principles of yashrut in the workplace.
Why observant business leaders?
We are working to more deeply intertwine ritual and ethics. We believe a dangerous separation between ritual and ethics has occurred, or is perceived to have occurred, in major segments of observant Jewish communities. We are seeking to address this compartmentalization and to create role models, heroes, and incentives in those communities to adhere to halakhah and Jewish values in the fullest sense.
How do you define “observance”?
We have a traditional understanding of observance and will trust the judgment of the nominators and the judges.
What does the winner receive?
The winner will receive a nominal prize and national recognition.
