Loans to and Investments in Associated Companies (Real Estate Associated Companies, Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2020 USD ($) Seat
54 Madison
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	48.10%
Number of seats in investment committee retained by Company	2
Number of seats in investment committee	4
HomeFed \| Brooklyn Renaissance Plaza and Hotel
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, other than temporary impairment \| $	$ 6.9
HomeFed \| Brooklyn Renaissance Plaza and Hotel \| Hotel
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	25.80%
HomeFed \| Brooklyn Renaissance Plaza Office \| Office Building
Investments In Associated Companies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	61.25%
Weighted average useful life	39 years

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121548190&loc=d3e32787-111569

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration