און א אינטערסאנטע פסק האלטען ביידע אז מען דארף צאלען טעקס פאר די רעגירונג.
אבער ביידע האלטען וועגען אן אנדרע סיבה
In light of the recent allegations against the Prime Minister regarding money laundering, tax fraud and evasion and bribery, the issue of whether one is obligated, halachically, to pay taxes to the country/state has been raised.
As an introduction I would mention that, generally, people who do not want to pay taxes (and who does) will say that the country they are living in - there is no halachic obligation to pay taxes. But in the other country, for sure.
For example, if someone lives in the US and is not paying taxes, he will justify it by saying that in the US the government is goyim so there is no obligation to pay, but in Israel for sure they have to pay.
And if that someone is living in Israel, they will say in Israel there is no obligation because the government has no legitimacy (for a variety of reasons), but in the US, for sure they have to pay.
So nobody wants to pay taxes, and people who know how to avoid it will always justify it by saying that where they live there is no halachic obligation.
So, both Rav Elyashiv and Rav Kanievsky were recently asked, again, as to their respective opinions on the obligation of paying taxes.
Rav Kaniensky supposedly responded that one is obligated to pay taxes. His logic was sourced in a halacha (I think quoted from the Rambam) that says not to withhold paying taxes, lest the government come and take everything from you. In other words, according to this opinion, it is a matter of risk - he suggests paying taxes because you might get caught and that would be worse.
Rav Elyashiv responded differently. Rav Elyashiv also said that one is obligated to pay taxes to the State.His logic was idfferent. Rav Elyashiv said the reason is because to withhold taxes is stealing from the State and is completely prohibited.
אבער ביידע האלטען וועגען אן אנדרע סיבה
In light of the recent allegations against the Prime Minister regarding money laundering, tax fraud and evasion and bribery, the issue of whether one is obligated, halachically, to pay taxes to the country/state has been raised.
As an introduction I would mention that, generally, people who do not want to pay taxes (and who does) will say that the country they are living in - there is no halachic obligation to pay taxes. But in the other country, for sure.
For example, if someone lives in the US and is not paying taxes, he will justify it by saying that in the US the government is goyim so there is no obligation to pay, but in Israel for sure they have to pay.
And if that someone is living in Israel, they will say in Israel there is no obligation because the government has no legitimacy (for a variety of reasons), but in the US, for sure they have to pay.
So nobody wants to pay taxes, and people who know how to avoid it will always justify it by saying that where they live there is no halachic obligation.
So, both Rav Elyashiv and Rav Kanievsky were recently asked, again, as to their respective opinions on the obligation of paying taxes.
Rav Kaniensky supposedly responded that one is obligated to pay taxes. His logic was sourced in a halacha (I think quoted from the Rambam) that says not to withhold paying taxes, lest the government come and take everything from you. In other words, according to this opinion, it is a matter of risk - he suggests paying taxes because you might get caught and that would be worse.
Rav Elyashiv responded differently. Rav Elyashiv also said that one is obligated to pay taxes to the State.His logic was idfferent. Rav Elyashiv said the reason is because to withhold taxes is stealing from the State and is completely prohibited.