Writing a Torah scroll in black

שו”ת › Category: Halacha › Writing a Torah scroll in black

asked 2 years ago

My family, at the initiative of my father, wants to bring a Torah scroll into our old family synagogue.
My father found a writer who is about to finish 2 more chapters. It fits perfectly and the price is a bargain.
He is willing to pay in cash only.
With such an amount, it is a violation of the law. It was even suggested to us to transfer the entire amount from father to the brothers, to divide the amount so that each brother would transfer an amount of money from him instead of my father spending it all.
It is against the law to evade tax.
My father is an elderly and sick man who really wants the deal. He may be concerned that ordering another Torah scroll will take too long.
My father really wants it and we brothers don’t feel comfortable.
What to do?

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מיכי Staff answered 2 years ago

I think the obligation to pay tax lies with the writer and not with you. Therefore, I don’t see a problem in principle with you taking it without a receipt. The offense is his. If the law requires asking for a receipt, it is a violation of the law but not tax evasion (and this can perhaps be circumvented by dividing it between the siblings). I don’t see this as such a serious problem, and if the situation is urgent, there is room for easing up on it. Of course, if you have the option of buying a TV in exchange for a receipt in the near future, that is better.

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כתבו לכם replied 2 years ago

I was a partner in a Torah scroll that was written to thank a synagogue in Kiryat Sefer for a miracle

and the desire was to embellish it as much as possible

We also consulted with Rabbi Elyashiv zt”l

and asked him what was appropriate to embellish?

And he replied that it would be legal in the Kabbalah…

We were surprised.

יעקב replied 2 years ago

Rabbi Michi, what about ”aiding a crime”?
After all, to say ‘I pay in cash and the fact that he doesn't give a receipt has nothing to do with me” is naivety. It is clear that by virtue of the payment in cash and only by virtue of it, the seller is taxed.

מיכי Staff replied 2 years ago

The law of assistance is from the rabbis, and that too when it is clearly evident that there is an offense. Here you estimate, but there is no certainty here and everything depends on the seller's will. I also do not assist him in the offense, but only enable it.