In recent years, we have seen the pendulum of public opinion swing between capitalism and socialism. When we examine this question through the lens of Judaism, some interesting conclusions emerge. Judaism accepts the fact that human beings are frenetic creatures when it comes to economic matters, and recognizes that the deep-seated tension between capitalist and socialist urges cannot be determined absolutely. Judaism sways between sharp, free-market capitalism and the sanctification of private ownership, and extreme socialism -- and it does so precisely and according to a timeline. The Bible creates an economic cycle of seven years. During six of those years, the market is free and capitalist, while incorporating the rules of tzedaka (charity). But a year-long sabbatical (known as shmita) follows, during which the standard rules are not applied. This period of rest is first and foremost a time to take a break from the rat race. Everyone profits during this break, yet the change is psychological, not economic. In every seven-year cycle, capitalism suspends itself for one year and makes way for generosity and charity. Imagine one year in which all the profits from the economy were divided equally among all the country's citizens, and at the end of this year everyone returned to the rat race rejuvenated and ready to repeat the cycle. In other words, the Torah does not build a system composed of two elements, but rather responds to our own internal instability. There are times when each of us aspires to be Yitzhak Tshuva and chases profits, even if that means participating in predatory competition, while at other times we simply don't have the strength and prefer to just sit back and enjoy our comfortable and quiet lives. It would be impossible, of course, to adopt the radical Jewish cycle of six years of capitalism and one year of communism, but we can perhaps learn from the Torah to adopt a more relaxed attitude with regard to the current protests sweeping the country. It's natural for people to seek change on occasion. No one is to blame for our current situation. No one committed a crime, not even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who adopted the correct measures that have brought our economy to where it is today, rather than to where Greece's economy is. We are simply living in a different era. The nation is tired and needs a real break from the race. The middle class, which up until now has not revolted because it prefers capitalism and the dream of becoming a tycoon, wants to make ends meet and live with dignity. Only real, far-reaching changes can calm the public, even if those changes are temporary. Think of a sabbatical that would include a tax waiver on fuel, the breakup of monopolies, early childhood education subsidies, and housing reform. The government would not have to view this as a failure. It would only be a matter of time before capitalist growth returns in full force. There is no need to fear temporary socialism, or a modern sabbatical year. The writer is an Israel Hayom reader.
