Q&A: Paying Taxes That Are Directed to Things Contrary to the Torah
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Paying Taxes That Are Directed to Things Contrary to the Torah
Question
Hello Rabbi,
If a person evades taxes on the grounds that some of the tax money is used to fund things that are against the Torah, such as mass Sabbath desecration and the like,
is that a valid claim? If not, I’d be glad to hear why not..
Thank you
Answer
You didn’t explain what the claim is. That he is forbidden to pay? Then he also shouldn’t benefit from state services.
Discussion on Answer
Not clear.
That is exactly the definition of a tax—to take money from you for a purpose you don’t believe in / oppose.
Not exactly. People also wouldn’t pay for purposes they do identify with. Beyond that, there is a difference between purposes you don’t identify with and purposes that are forbidden.
Yossi, by that logic leftists shouldn’t pay taxes because it funds settlements. Right-wingers shouldn’t pay taxes because it funds LGBT activity, and so on. A state is not a program tailored to your wishes.