ABSTRACT
This chapter narrates a rich account of Jewish traditions that have undergirded past and present conceptions of economic justice, including contemporary activism on issues like workers’ rights and universal access to health care. Over the sweep of Jewish history, interpretations of the foundational narratives and laws of the Jewish people have reflected a deep and abiding concern for and identification with oppressed people, with frequent references to ‘the widow’, ‘the orphan’, ‘the stranger’ and ‘the poor’. Ultimately, these texts, narratives and laws tell a story of a religion founded not only on the belief that every human being is obligated to care for others, but also that society itself must be organized in such a way as to provide economic justice for all inhabitants.
