What is the Charedi view on entrepreneurship?
When understood through the lens of Torah values, entrepreneurship is not only permissible—it can be deeply admirable.
In the Charedi world, the highest calling is unquestionably Torah learning. A life immersed in limud haTorah, tefillah, and avodas Hashem stands at the top of our priorities. But that doesn’t mean that earning a living through creative, independent, and honest means is seen as anything less than noble—especially when it is done l’shem Shamayim.
The Ideal Balance: Torah First, Parnassah With Purpose
The Torah never demanded poverty—it demands priorities.
As Chazal teach in Pirkei Avos (2:2):
“יָפֶה תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה עִם דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ, שֶׁשְׁתֵּי הֵם מַשְׁכֵּחַת עָוֹן.” “Torah study is beautiful when combined with worldly occupation, for the toil of both together causes sin to be forgotten.”
Chazal are not advocating equal time spent on business and Torah, chas v’shalom, but rather emphasizing the ideal: Torah remains primary, yet one should engage in work to support a Torah life.
Many Charedi men dedicate the early part of their lives fully to Torah learning, and later pursue parnassah to support their families. For some, that means taking a job. For others, it means building a business from the ground up.
The Charedi approach is not “anti-business.” It is “pro-Torah-first.” So long as a person keeps his hashkafos clear, his halachos intact, and his goals l’shem Shamayim, entrepreneurship can become a tremendous kiddush Hashem.
Examples from Our History
The Torah world has always included gedolim and tzaddikim who were also entrepreneurs—or who deeply respected those who were.
- Rav Yehuda HaNasi was extraordinarily wealthy, yet authored the Mishnah itself, serving as both a spiritual and communal leader【1】.
- Rav Yochanan HaSandlar, a talmid of Rabbi Akiva, worked as a shoemaker, a humble trade, while learning and teaching Torah【2】.
- The Chofetz Chaim ran a small store with his wife to support himself and was known to write about the importance of parnassah earned with dignity【3】.
And throughout Jewish history, baalei parnassah supported Torah and built communities—often becoming key players in the spiritual success of Klal Yisrael.
Even today, many Charedi entrepreneurs—both men and women—run kosher businesses in publishing, real estate, education, health, e-commerce, finance, and more. They create jobs, fund kollelim, open gemachim, and build shuls, mikvaos, and Torah institutions—all while living lives of spiritual depth and commitment.
Charedi Entrepreneurship in Action: Real Programs & Support
In recent years, several remarkable initiatives have arisen to support Charedi entrepreneurs—not to secularize them, chas v’shalom, but to help them thrive within their hashkafah.
KamaTech
Founded by Moshe Friedman with the support of senior Charedi Rabbanim, KamaTech (https://www.kamatech.org.il) is a groundbreaking initiative helping Charedi men and women enter the startup and hi-tech world—while remaining fully observant and connected to Torah learning.
They offer training programs, mentorship, access to capital, networking with religious investors, and more—all built with sensitivity to Charedi life and values. KamaTech partners with some of the largest Israeli tech firms, but their soul is still in Bnei Brak, Yerushalayim, and the Beis Midrash【4】.
Other Programs
There are also numerous Charedi-run vocational centers, business incubators, and seminary-approved courses for women to learn business skills al taharas hakodesh—all with Rabbinic approval. Programs like:
- The Kemach Foundation
- Tachlis Institute for Charedi Business Training
- Local municipal Charedi business hubs in Beit Shemesh, Elad, and beyond.
These institutions understand what many in the outside world do not: when Charedim enter the world of business with yiras Shamayim, they uplift it—not the other way around.
Spiritual Strength in the Marketplace
A Charedi entrepreneur is not just someone who “makes money”—he’s someone who carries Hashem’s Name into the workplace.
He keeps halacha, speaks with emet, avoids geneivas da’as, and builds a culture of tzeni’us, chesed, and integrity. His phone has a filter. His office closes early on Fridays. His taxes are honest. And his profits? He shares them with his kollel, his shul, his chevra kadisha, his gemach, and his struggling neighbor.
As the Vilna Gaon taught, "Every place a Jew goes, he is a shaliach of Torah"【5】.
Challenges Still Remain
It must be said that despite all this progress, Charedi entrepreneurs still face challenges—especially from the State of Israel.
From unfair taxation policies to exclusion from government grants and bias in municipal planning—many Charedi businesses are held back not by lack of skill, but by lack of systemic support. In some cases, efforts to "integrate" Charedim come at the price of pressuring them to compromise on halacha or lifestyle.
Still, despite these challenges, the world of Torah-true business is growing—and thriving.
Final Word: Entrepreneurship with a Neshama
In truth, the Jewish People have always had entrepreneurs. Avraham Avinu ran flocks. Yosef managed entire economies. The Rambam was a physician and author. They weren’t entrepreneurs in spite of their Yiddishkeit—but because of it.
Today’s Charedi entrepreneurs walk in their footsteps—building not only financial success, but spiritual legacies.
Sources & Footnotes
- Gittin 59a — Rav Yehuda HaNasi’s wealth and his leadership role are mentioned throughout Shas. His ability to remain humble despite wealth is praised.
- Shabbos 49b — Rav Yochanan HaSandlar, a shoemaker, is cited among the sages who worked and learned.
- Chofetz Chaim Al HaTorah and various biographies — Multiple sources describe his store, his bitachon in parnassah, and his writings on dignified work.
- KamaTech Official Website: https://www.kamatech.org.il — Details of their vision, history, Rabbinic support, and business success.
- Even Sheleimah by the Vilna Gaon — Discusses how one’s life should be a constant expression of Torah, including in business.