Before we dive in, one thing should be clear – Bitcoin is not food. You shouldn’t attempt to eat it, nor any hardware wallet that secures it. This article’s use of the term Kosher is in a more modern metaphorical way, not dietary.
On initial glance, religion and Bitcoin blend together as well as oil and water. One is rooted in mysticism and storytelling, the other in mathematics and computer code. One requires faith, the other is trustless.
However, once you get beyond the code and scripture, neither flourish without their adherents. Throughout Bitcoin’s development it has been influenced by human desires, emotions, and, yes, even religion. As a result, many of humanity’s core values have been woven into the ways in which it is used, how it is mined, and particularly in its perceived potential to change the world.
Just as members of every religion will find elements of bitcoin that match with their philosophy, this author observes many core Jewish values reflected in Bitcoin.
As one of the world’s oldest religions, Judaism has spanned the history of human monetary evolution. In Genesis 13:2, Abraham is described as “very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.” Along with other literary and archeological sources from the time, scholars have interpreted this as Abraham having lived at a time when humanity was first transitioning from barter to trade. The word shekel, now known as the currency of ancient and modern Israel alike, was only used as a unit of weight in the time of Abraham.
Over thousands of years, shekels evolved from a measurement into a currency, eventually becoming the fiat currency it is today. Just like the Dollar, Pound, or Euro, the modern Shekel is no longer backed by or made of gold or silver, and is instead backed by the faith and trust of the government.
Once again, the world is living through another financial shift in how we handle and view currency. This time, control will be taken away from government, religion, or any other centralized authority. As a result, we’re finally getting a currency, in Bitcoin, that aligns with ancient values that many religions espouse.
Equality
“Ancient Rabbis understood the Torah’s assertion that all humans descended from Adam to mean that we are all created equal. No one can ever say, “My ancestor is greater than yours,” because we all have the same ancestor. This isn’t a scientific statement, it’s a moral one: We are all part of the same human family, and none of us is more or less important than anyone else.”
–Sarah Hurwitz, former speechwriter for Michelle Obama
As far as the Jewish values of equality are concerned, it is hard-coded right into bitcoin. Anyone can use it. Anyone can mine it. Anyone can see what’s happening on-chain. As they say, bitcoin is for everyone.
Environmentalism
Negative messaging about bitcoin’s energy usage and impact on the environment by those with ulterior motives casts a dark shadow over most media coverage, but in reality a majority of bitcoin mining is being done today in environmentally sound ways that Satoshi Nakamoto and the earliest bitcoiners likely never envisioned. As a result of the competitive nature of mining, miners have turned to renewables like solar, hydroelectric, wind, and even nuclear. Likewise, there have been no shortage of creative uses for the heat, bitcoin mining’s only byproduct, ranging from warming pools to drying wood. This falls right in line with values of a religion that celebrates a “new year for trees” and is responsible for planting hundreds of millions of trees around the world in modern times.
Tzedakah & Tikkun Olam
While separate concepts and values within Judaism, Tzedakah, meaning charity, and Tikkun Olam, healing the world, often overlap. It doesn’t take long into one’s bitcoin journey before you discover just how central to its values these concepts are. The stories of charity through bitcoin date back as far as the currency has held value and the number of charities who have benefited directly from it are countless. As if Bitcoin’s charitable impact isn’t enough to also satisfy ‘healing the world,’ its entire reason for being created was to that end. Satoshi Nakamoto and every bitcoiner that has come after him see bitcoin’s potential to heal the world and have worked hard to help it do just that.
In conclusion, Bitcoin embodies values such as equality, environmentalism, and charity that resonate with Jewish teachings. Its decentralized nature aligns with the Jewish belief in equal access for all, while its sustainable and innovative mining practices reflect environmental principles alongside Bitcoin’s track record with charities to heal the world. As a result, Bitcoin not only represents a financial shift, but also reflects timeless ethical ideals that can shape the future.
A more “kosher” financial system does not exist.
Evan is a self-employed consultant, web designer/developer/host, and life-long early adopter. He has a passion for the nonprofit world and has worked and volunteered with countless organizations. Evan has been involved with The Progressive Bitcoiner since its inception and has created every iteration of its website.
