A key tenet of Judaism is to “pursue justice” – Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof. One way we can act on this is to ensure that our consumer habits assist economic advancement for others around the globe.

Following are several Jewish values and source materials supporting why it’s Jewish to seek out and purchase fair trade projects.

As Jews, we are obligated to work for economic justice.

"Do not let him slip down until he falls completely, for then it will be difficult to raise him; rather strengthen him as he begins to fall. To what is this comparable? To a burden upon a donkey: while it is still on the donkey, one person can hold it and set it in place; if it falls to the earth, even five people cannot set it back" (Rashi’s commentary on Leviticus 25:35).

The primary Jewish tool for helping the poor is tzedakah. According to the great 12 th Century Jewish scholar Rabbi Moses ben Maimonides, the highest form of tzedakah is entering into a business partnership or giving a person a job so that he or she can become self-sufficient. When we buy fair trade products, we are effectively entering into a business partnership with the producer. The number of steps in between us and the producer doesn’t matter. If we fail to take into account their economic well-being, if we focus only on getting the best deal, then we’re doing the opposite of what tzedakah obligates us to do. Our partnership with fair trade producers helps lift them out of poverty, not drive them further into poverty.

As Jews, we are obligated to insure that workers are treated justly.

“In disputes between employees and workers, the rights of the worker were given preference over those of the employer.” (Talmud, Baba Metzia 77a).

The lesson here hinges on the phrase “risks his life for it.” Poor laborers depend on earning a decent wage in order to obtain the simple necessities of life. If an artisan or farmer works hard to produce a product that we want and need, we have an obligation to ensure that the farmer and his or her family receive sufficient income to live a sustainable life.

As Jews, we are obligated to be responsible consumers.

“If you sell anything to your neighbor or buy anything from your neighbor, you shall not wrong one another.” (Leviticus 25:14)

“It is forbidden to cheat people in buying and selling, or to deceive them.” (Rabbi Moses ben Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Mechirah 18:1)

As indicated above, Jewish law makes it very clear that workers under our care are to be treated justly. From this it can be inferred that as consumers, we also have the obligation to ensure that the people who are producing the goods that we purchase are paid properly and fairly for their work.

To learn more about Judaism and Fair Trade:

Read this inspiring d'var Torah on Judaism and fair trade (PDF) by Joelle Novey.

Two U.S. Jewish organizations, the Religious Action Center (RAC) of the Reform Movement and the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) actively support fair trade have taken policy and advocacy positions encouraging the purchase of fair trade coffee by Jewish synagogues and agencies. For additional background info and the RAC’s formal fair trade resolution, see: Fair Trade Coffee and AJWS and Fair Trade

There is a Jewish organization in the U.K., MakePovertyHistory Jewish Coalition, which has developed a strong fair trade movement. See their website: MakePovertyHistory Jewish Coalition.

There is an active fair trade movement in Israel; called “Sachar Hogeyn” in Hebrew. It is organized by a non-profit organization called Green Action. Environmental and social sustainability is a high priority for Green Action, who actively promotes activities that work to protect and renew the earth's natural resources and disadvantaged communities. Their fair trade program was initiated in 2002.

If you are interested in encouraging your synagogue or other Jewish organization to purchase fair trade coffee and other products, Equal Exchange offers a program; see their Educational Resources at Equal Exchange: Interfaith Program.

Thanks to RAC, AJWS, and MakePovertyHistory Jewish Coalition for resources used on this website, and additional thanks to Joelle Novey from Co-op America who shared her resources.