Levi Brackman's

1. An Economic Prediction from the Story of Purim

The story of Purim contains a universal truth that is especially relevant today: intense hubris is always followed by a downturn and intense contrition precedes an upturn.  The trends found in the story of Purim should be familiar to us...

Friday, 06 March 2009 | 1146 hits | Read more

2. Are Americans becoming too envious and losing their morals?

The great Jewish philosopher Maimonides wrote that a person who has suffered misfortune feels less miserable when confronted by a person in a more calamitous situation than themselves.  Similarly when a dejected person sees someone who is more...

Friday, 20 March 2009 | 1477 hits | Read more

3. My comments published in the New York Times

On Thursday I received a call from Alan Salkin a reporter at the New York Times. He asked for my thoughts on the anger that existed towards the AIG employees who received bonuses. My comments appeared in today’s New York Times and can be...

Sunday, 22 March 2009 | 1864 hits | Read more

4. Society must recover first; the economy will follow

Watching society over the last ten years has been like observing a sick person who, unaware of his illness, continues pursuing a lifestyle that will eventually kill him. Some people noticed this and tried to warn others about it but no one was...

Friday, 20 February 2009 | 1252 hits | Read more

5. The TorahÂ’s Wisdom for Financial Markets

In Israel people borrow money from banks differently than they do elsewhere in the world. It is called a Heter Iska where any loan is structured so that the lender becomes an investor rather than as a usurer. This provision is to avoid transgressing...

Friday, 15 May 2009 | 2788 hits | Read more