Loving the ‘Stranger’: The Key to Prosperity

Friedman, Hershey H.; Gerstein, Miriam

Loving the ‘Stranger’: The Key to Prosperity

Friedman, H. H. & Gerstein, M. (2015). “Loving the stranger”: The key to prosperity. Journal of Ethics & Entrepreneurship, 5(1), 49-65.

26 Pages Posted: 21 Jun 2017

See all articles by Hershey H. Friedman

Hershey H. Friedman

Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Miriam Gerstein

Brooklyn College

Date Written: January 20, 2015

Abstract

To love the stranger is a core biblical imperative. This paper examines the meaning and implications of this unusual precept. It demonstrates that the prosperity of all nations is contingent on their embracing and their institutionalization of this principle. As history testifies, hatred of strangers lay at the heart of countless wars and the demise of numerous ancient and modern nations and empires.

Keywords: Xenophobia, Bible, Ethics, Isaiah, Growth and Prosperity

JEL Classification: J50, M12, M14, M54

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Friedman, Hershey H. and Gerstein, Miriam, Loving the ‘Stranger’: The Key to Prosperity (January 20, 2015). Friedman, H. H. & Gerstein, M. (2015). “Loving the stranger”: The key to prosperity. Journal of Ethics & Entrepreneurship, 5(1), 49-65., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2989643