<BODY><P>R' SM<BR>*Although it seems obvious to us that being a salaried employee is a<BR>*straightforward and sensible way to make a living, it is regarded with some<BR>*suspicion in classical Jewish sources. This is because of the shibud the<BR>*worker has to his employer, which borders on slavery (no jokes please). The<BR>*longer the worker contracted for, the more the practice was frowned upon.<BR></P>
<P>R'MYG:<BR><BR>>Yaakov Avinu?<BR></P>
<P>Could you clarify this question? If anything, the miserable experience of YA illustrates the negative aspects of long-term salaried employment; it hardly serves as a model of an ideal way to make a living. It is clear from the Torah that Yaakov was forced into this financial arrangement basically against his will. </P>
<P>Saul Mashbaum<BR></P></BODY>