משנה מסכת בבא מציעא פרק ז משנה א
[א] השוכר את הפועלים ואמר להם להשכים ולהעריב מקום שנהגו שלא להשכים ושלא להעריב אינו רשאי לכופן מקום שנהגו לזון יזון לספק במתיקה יספק הכל כמנהג המדינה
When one hires workers where the custom is that they be fed, one is obligated to feed them; where it is that they be served dessert, one must serve them dessert.” [Translation by Uri L’Tzedek. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why is the manner with which we treat workers based on the local custom? What is the value of this custom?
2. What does this text teach us about how we treat workers?
3. Are there limitations to the guideline to follow the local custom? Are there times where we do more than the local custom dictates?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)