Q&A: "Snake" or Pinhas?
"Snake" or Pinhas?
Question
Recently a friend sent me a WhatsApp message from his degree-program group. At one of the universities in Israel, several cheaters were discovered copying. As a result, they may be expelled by the institution where they study, and perhaps no other institution will accept them either. The cheaters were exposed בעקבות an anonymous letter that one of their classmates wrote to the university, informing on his friends who had cheated. This created a great deal of chaos within the group, and one of the students wrote at length about how this was an immoral, "snakelike" act.
I wanted to hear your opinion, Rabbi Michi. Do you think it is forbidden to inform on people who cheat in a degree program, or is it permitted and even proper?
Thank you very much.
Answer
It seems to me that this is the right thing to do (I’m a bit conflicted, because this is an accepted norm, and the question is why specifically they should pay a price just because I know them). But it is preferable first to warn them, in order to prevent the act from the outset: that they should not cheat, or that they should forgo the exam result and take the course again.
Discussion on Answer
Anyone who is eager to see people get screwed should go to the police, fly out to catch drivers who drive with one hand on the wheel and give them a ticket because it’s illegal; likewise, report anyone who drifts into the left lane; and whoever feels like showing his nasty face can download some snitch app and satisfy his urge. Good luck.
About such people it is said: the jealous will die—or just live and screw everyone else over.
Regarding this question: if I have a relative and I find out that he is evading taxes, is it right to report him to the tax authorities?
I think not. The way of the world is to cut corners on taxes. If we’re talking about large sums, he should be warned first (that can also be done anonymously) before going and telling.
And maybe the best thing would be to set up a group of anonymous informers, so that no one knows who they are, and then everyone will be careful about cheating lest someone from the group see them.