Economic Speculation and the Sacred in the Talmud: Three Cases of Rabbinic Religious Intervention in Tractates Baba Batra, Pesachim, and Sukkah

This chapter examines rabbinic authority in Sasanian Persia through three instances where rabbinic authorities intervened to lower prices for the community. It argues that these interventions should not be interpreted solely through traditional legal frameworks, such as Talmud commentaries by Rashi and the Tosafot, or ethical lenses found in moral readings of Talmudic texts. Instead, they should be analyzed within the broader context of business ethics, considering the complex political and theological dimensions at play. The ethical considerations are rooted in the relationships between rabbinic, Jewish, and secular institutions. This perspective allows for a more nuanced discussion of economic issues and concessions in the post-Talmudic era, exploring the interaction between sacred and secular domains, and offering a deeper understanding of the economic implications of religious authority and secularization.