Page 52 - HaMizrachi #33 Sukkot 2021 USA

Timeless Wisdom

Sefer Bereishit and the Ethics of Technology

Michael Eisenberg

e live in turbulent In our own time, innovations in Arti- wealthier in Egypt, we see that Avra-
times when the only ficial Intelligence raise similar chal- ham embarked on spiritual pursuits
constant is change. lenges. AI opens up many possibilities without Lot, building altars and call-
WEpoch-defining tech- for creating wealth and prosperity. ing out in G-d’s name. Lot, on the other
nologies and digitization are overturn- But what are the ethical principles hand, pursued even more wealth with-
ing the economy, media, and culture, that must guide this technology? Sim- out principle in Sodom and Gomorrah.
creating extraordinary wealth for some ilarly, the commercialization of space In Bereishit 13:1, Avraham’s possessions
while leaving others behind. At a time travel is a vast industry that may open are described between the listing of
of exceptional flux, it is even more up riches from mining, manufactur- Avraham and Lot’s names, implying
important to literally start MiBereishit, ing, and farming. Yet, the principles that their different approaches to
from the beginning, by examining the that should govern this remarkable wealth came between them.
Torah’s original protagonists and their and aspirational development remain Avraham is a paragon of the proper use
fundamental principles. dangerously unclear. of wealth, using his material blessings
Sefer Bereishit is preoccupied with to call out in G-d’s name and care for
We are not the first to encounter a tech- innovation, enterprise and the wealth those less fortunate in his midst. He is a
nological change that is simultaneously it brings. Noach invents the plow and model for the affluent men and women
productive and destructive. The Sages winemaking, while Avraham, Yitzchak, of our generation.
teach us that Noach invented the plow, and Yaakov are highly successful
a transformational invention that dra- farmers and shepherds. The Ibn Ezra, Yitzchak was also wealthy but acquired
matically improved the lot of mankind. himself a poor man, suggests that Esav his wealth by transitioning from the
The Torah tells us that Noah waited 500 spurned the rights of the first-born shepherding business of his father to
years to have children. We can almost and sold it to Yaakov because Yitzchak agriculture. Times change. Industrial
hear the Thomas Malthus of his time was poor, leading Esav to believe that economies become technology and
or the New York Times of today saying, his first-born status was worthless. digital economies, while professions
“Do not have children because there Responding vehemently to this sug- such as law and accounting become
will not be enough food to feed them gestion, the Ramban says Ibn Ezra was less valuable than computer program-
ming. Those who adapt to the new
all!” However, Noach, the innovator, “blind” in offering this interpretation. economic culture like Yaakov can
changed everything with the plow, dra- Yitzchak could not have been poor, continue the family lineage, whereas
matically increasing the food supply for G-d’s blessing to our forefathers those who ignore or reject change end
and allowing humanity to procreate in included material wealth! As Ramban up like Esav.
droves. “These three were the sons of makes clear, the value of financial
Noach, and from these, the whole world success is ingrained in the book of Though communities of faith are all
branched out.” (Bereishit 9:19) Bereishit. challenged by change, change is con-
At the same time, Bereishit is deeply stant. Because it’s not unexpected, we
Along with great prosperity, Noach’s concerned with the ethical principles can, to some degree, plan to deal with
invention also brought decadence. As that must accompany business pur- it. Fortunately, Bereishit teaches us that
the Torah warns throughout Sefer suits. When describing Avraham’s move we can and should embrace change by
Devarim, prosperity can bring haugh- to Canaan, we are told that he brings looking to our ancestors’ timeless tra-
tiness and spiritual decline. So it was his nephew Lot along with him. At this ditions and wisdom.
during the time of Noach. The emer- point in the story, all we know about
gence of the plow was not accompa- Lot is that he is an orphan. Avraham
A member of nied by principles that would clarify Michael Eisenberg is Co-founder and Partner
the Mizrachi was wealthy, but he used his wealth at early-stage venture capital fund Aleph and
Speakers Bureau the principled framework for its use. to take responsibility for his orphaned author of The Tree of Life and Prosperity: 21st
And so, the blessing of innovation was nephew. Moreover, by contrasting Avra- Century Business Principles from the Book of
mizrachi.org/
speakers dimmed by unforeseen consequences. ham and Lot after they both became Genesis (Wicked Son).

52 |