Loans to and Investments in Associated Companies - Schedule of Loans to and Investments In Associated Companies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of beginning of period			$ 1,745,790	$ 1,686,563
Income (losses) related to associated companies	$ (21,700)	$ (23,526)	(51,685)	(34,094)
Other income (losses) related to associated companies	30,567	65,138	88,585	153,044
Contributions to (distributions from) associated companies, net			24,909	(77,668)
Other			(4,057)	270
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of end of period	1,803,542	1,728,115	1,803,542	1,728,115
Jefferies Finance
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of beginning of period			776,162	693,201
Income (losses) related to associated companies			0	0
Other income (losses) related to associated companies	(14,215)	33,250	4,796	60,835
Contributions to (distributions from) associated companies, net			25,370	(21,817)
Other			(3)	0
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of end of period	806,325	732,219	806,325	732,219
Berkadia
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of beginning of period			373,417	301,152
Income (losses) related to associated companies				0
Other income (losses) related to associated companies	38,584	30,654	77,484	60,672
Contributions to (distributions from) associated companies, net			(22,224)	(505)
Other			(811)	(57)
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of end of period	427,866	361,262	427,866	361,262
FXCM
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of beginning of period			48,986	73,920
Income (losses) related to associated companies	2,578	(4,658)	(6,969)	(10,120)
Other income (losses) related to associated companies				0
Contributions to (distributions from) associated companies, net			10,000	0
Other			(786)	328
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of end of period	51,231	64,128	51,231	64,128
Linkem
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of beginning of period			133,778	198,991
Income (losses) related to associated companies	(22,001)	(10,836)	(44,972)	(19,943)
Other income (losses) related to associated companies			0	0
Contributions to (distributions from) associated companies, net			8,739	(8,783)
Other			0	0
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of end of period	97,545	170,265	97,545	170,265
Asset Management Companies
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of beginning of period			183,076	139,707
Income (losses) related to associated companies			0	0
Other income (losses) related to associated companies	6,316	1,113	6,447	31,297
Contributions to (distributions from) associated companies, net			(3,250)	(31,591)
Other			2	0
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of end of period	186,275	139,413	186,275	139,413
Real estate companies
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of beginning of period			122,720	168,678
Income (losses) related to associated companies	(1,290)	(9,168)	710	(3,117)
Other income (losses) related to associated companies			0	0
Contributions to (distributions from) associated companies, net			10,257	(11,854)
Other			0	0
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of end of period	133,687	153,707	133,687	153,707
Other
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of beginning of period			107,651	110,914
Income (losses) related to associated companies	(987)	1,136	(454)	(914)
Other income (losses) related to associated companies	(118)	121	(142)	240
Contributions to (distributions from) associated companies, net			(3,983)	(3,118)
Other			(2,459)	(1)
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of end of period	100,613	$ 107,121	100,613	$ 107,121
Other | Loans and debt securities
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of beginning of period			15,300
Linkem and Other | Loans and debt securities
Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward]
Loans to and investments in associated companies as of end of period	$ 24,500		$ 24,500