In recent days, surprise moves on the stock market have captured the attention of investors, politicians and millions of regular people. On numerous occasions, the Rebbe expressed his opinion regarding investing in the stock market.
By Anash.org reporter
In recent days, surprise moves on the stock market have captured the attention of investors, politicians and millions of regular people.
The saga unfolded after an army of smaller investors drove up the stock prices of a struggling retailer, causing professional investment firms, that had betted against the retailers decreasing in value, to lose billions of dollars.
Investing in the stock market is a subject of much Halachic discussion, especially in recent years, as investing in stocks has become as easy as clicking a button on an app.
On numerous occasions, the Rebbe weighted in to the matter, expressing his opinion regarding investing in the stock market. Anash.org presents a sample of the Rebbe’s assessment of the topic.
LETTER: On Investing in Stocks
By the Grace of G‑d
5726 [1966]
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
Regarding your question about investing in stocks, generally I am not in favor of it, since this is largely a matter of speculation. Indeed, a prominent businessman once said to me that he did not wish to engage in the kind of business where he and an ignoramus have the same chance. It is particularly objectionable because of the anxiety and nervous strain that it creates in some people. Moreover, in these unsettled days, there is too great an element of speculation involved in the Stock Exchange. It is surely possible to find some more fitting investment opportunities, if an investment is contemplated, than the kind of thing which sends the investor scurrying for the first edition of the Stock Exchange report in the morning newspaper.
With blessing,
VIDEO: Investing for Peace of Mind
26 Adar, 5751 · March 12, 1991
VIDEO: Risky Business
In 1962, the Rebbe’s warning to Meyer Zajac to stay away from stock market investing saved him from enormous losses. A decade later, after buying $100,000 worth of shares as a favor to a friend, his portfolio fell by 95% to $5,000! Meyer flew to New York to see the Rebbe…
See also p. 45 of this teshura:
http://teshura.com/teshurapdf/Lipsker-Friedman%20-%20Sivan%2018%2C%205773.pdf
in the P.S. to the letter at top of page, where the Rebbe speaks of the downside of the speculation on the stock exchange..
I just want to point out that there is a huge difference between short-term investing (which is what the current news is about) and long-term investing. Short-term investing is gambling where all the issues the Rebbe mentions apply. Long-term investing (as long as you commit and don’t regularly check the market) in a diversified portfolio is just investing where these issues do not apply. This is especially true about retirement plans like 401k and IRA where you are not allowed to take out the money for a long time.