ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the ethics of whistleblowing from the perspective of Jewish law. It identifies the horns of the moral dilemma that the whistleblower (W) faces. It examines what moral principle tells W to disclose what he knows, and what moral principle tells him to remain silent. Hafetz Hayyim's criteria present several issues for comparison with secular business ethics. One issue relates to the type of wrongdoing W observes. In the opinion of Richard De George, a prominent secular business ethicist, the moral issue for W is limited to the instance where the wrong-doing will harm the public. When, however, the wrongdoing harms only the owners of a firm, such as when W has evidence that a co-worker is taking kickbacks from a supplier, there is no duty to inform on the wrongdoer. De George's distinction between types of wrongdoers is clearly inconsistent with Hafetz Hayyim's view.
