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Question of the Month

By Aron Moss

DEAR SIR/MADAM,

I WAS GIVEN YOUR NAME AS A TRUSTWORTHY BUSINESS PARTNER. ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF. MY NAME IS CHARLES ONWUDINJO. I WAS A PERSONAL SECRETARY OF THE PAST PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA, WHO DIED RECENTLY IN A PLANE CRASH WITH HIS ENTIRE FAMILY, LEAVING NO HEIRS. I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS THE WHEREABOUTS OF HIS FORTUNE.

HIS ESTATE OF US$20,000,000 (TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS) WILL REVERT BACK TO THE GOVERNMENT IF I CANNOT FIND A NEXT OF KIN.

I NEED YOUR HELP. I CAN ORGANIZE PAPERS NAMING YOU AS THE NEXT OF KIN. I WILL THEN USE YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO TRANSFER THE FUNDS FOR THE PERIOD OF ONE MONTH. I WILL LEAVE 10% OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT IN YOUR ACCOUNT AS A REWARD FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO HELP ME, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY FORWARD YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER.

PLEASE KEEP THIS TRANSACTION SECRET.

REGARDS,
CHARLES ONWUDINJO
NIGERIA

Answer:

Dear Charles,

I am truly glad that my name was given to you. And I would like to help you.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am a rabbi, and so part of my job is to create partnerships. And I think I have the perfect partner for you. If you enter this partnership, you will have the chance to be far richer than the president of Nigeria ever was.

Let me tell you about this partner. He doesn't ask to share in the profits. His only demand is that you conduct all your business transactions honestly, deal with others with integrity, and treat whoever you work with - superiors and subordinates alike - with dignity. And when you do make some money, donate a portion to worthy causes.

This partner is G-d. He is the true source of wealth. Our side of the partnership is to work honestly and diligently; but only He decides if we will be successful or not. Our efforts are merely the medium through which G-d - the Senior Partner - bestows His blessing upon us.

That's why a scheme to make a quick buck is not just immoral, it's bad business. You are missing the contribution of the Senior Partner, because G-d doesn't participate in scams. Not that it won't be profitable - people get rich from scams all the time. But those riches will not be a blessing, but eventually a curse. They will not bring the happiness and contentment that an honest living and a moral life can bring.

Charles, you obviously have a good mind and an active imagination - you invented a good story. And you certainly have vision - you are known throughout cyberspace. Why not use your talents for something constructive? Become a partner in creating an empire of goodness.

All the best,
Rabbi Moss