Stephanie Barana grew up in Temecula, California and graduated with a BA in economics from UC Irvine. Stephanie recently received her master’s degree in economics from the University of Arizona, where she became more interested in Judaism. Stephanie is now a regular at Chabad at U of A. She hopes to continue her education and obtain a PhD in business strategy.
Stephanie's paper analyses the modern day Torah applications of maaser and blessing from fulfilling the mitzvah of charity. We learn from Malachi 3:10 that when a person gives ten percent of his or her income such a gift will be paid back “until there be no room to suffice for it.” This paper examines the statement from Malachi 3:10, and the benefits that maaser can have on the American economy. This is explained through the expenditure multiplier effect with a mathematical justification for the societal benefits of tzedakah. Lastly, this paper calculates the implications that changes to taxation policy
This presentation was delivered at the Sinai Scholars Academic Symposium 2013. The Sinai Scholars Symposium is a yearly conference for university students, hosted by the Sinai Scholars Society. Students from around the world gather with an esteemed panel of Ivy League professors, world-class Torah scholars and experts in their field to study, discuss and present their thoughts on various subjects that deal with Judaism and the modern world. Each student prepares an academic paper which they present to their colleagues and a panel of judges.
