The medieval Jewish community accepted these controls which included limitations on profits for essential items. In periods of crisis they included profits on necessities. Such items and their distribution were often strictly regulated.”
Governmental interference in the operation of the market place occurred regularly through the enactments of takkanot. These not only regulated prices, but also dealt with distribution. Takkanot which protected the community were regularly enacted through the centuries.”
Now let us return to the issue of“intellectual property.” There were no discussions along those lines in the classical Jewish literature as the problems now faced had not appeared. Patent or intellectual property restrictions which govern all areas of medical, agricultural technologies, etc. now play the same role as hoarding in earlier times. They prevent people from receiving care or improving their productivity ata reasonable cost. The civil government is well aware of these problems, but has turned to their solution only very slowly.
We cannot have the slightest doubt that the Jewish community would have included all of these matters and passed legislation restricting the intellectual property rights. The cost to certain individuals would have been high, but communal needs would have prevailed.
Guided by these millennial of concerns expressed in practical ways, we should follow that path. Regulations do not lie within our power, but working for them and restricting the scope of“intellectual property” lies within our power. The long centuries of tradition urge us to move along those lines.
These precedents indicate a broad interest in social welfare and in our time would go far beyond food and shelter. They would certainly