Hi,
May I "jaywalk", crossing a street against the light or outside of a crosswalk?
There is great debate as to the power of civil government within the principle of dina d'malchuta dina. Some authorities contend this is limited to financial matters, while others include all civil issues in their legislative powers. [Of course, no one assigns the government authority to require violation of Torah.] Therefore, the inclusion of jaywalking prohibitions in dina d'malchuta is debatable.
However, all authorities acknowledge the mitzvah of v'nishmartem m'od l'nafshoteichem, requiring that a Jew guard his life; we are stricter regarding possible loss of life than regarding possible violation of Jewish law. Therefore, one is obligated to refrain from crossing a street in a situation which might possibly involve danger. Further, one must be particularly careful around children, lest one teach them a behaviour which they might emulate in an unsafe situation.
(Dina d'Malchuta: Bava Kama 60b, 113a; Bava Batra 8b; Rashi to Gittin 9a chutz; Ran Nedarim 28a; Hilchot Zechiyah uMatanah 1:15; Ramban to Bereishit 34:13; Danger: Chullin 10a; Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 116; She'eilat Shlomo 2:413; http://www.yeshiva.org.il/ask/?id=45)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Showing posts with label Dina d'malchuta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dina d'malchuta. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Taxes
Hi,
Assuming tax collection is done in a law-abiding manner (as opposed to random taxation by a private person who has bought the right of taxation from the government), one is not allowed to cheat on his taxes, whether the government is Jewish or non-Jewish. Cheating on one's taxes constitutes theft, as well as desecration of Gd's Name.
(Code of Jewish Law Choshen Mishpat 369:6)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Assuming tax collection is done in a law-abiding manner (as opposed to random taxation by a private person who has bought the right of taxation from the government), one is not allowed to cheat on his taxes, whether the government is Jewish or non-Jewish. Cheating on one's taxes constitutes theft, as well as desecration of Gd's Name.
(Code of Jewish Law Choshen Mishpat 369:6)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The authority of government
Hi,
The halachic requirements of honesty apply whether dealing with Jews or non-Jews, individuals or government.
Thus, for example, the Code of Jewish Law rules that if a Jew finds property that has been entirely abandoned, but government law requires that such property be returned, then he must honestly comply with the government's law.
(Code of Jewish Law Choshen Mishpat 259:7)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
The halachic requirements of honesty apply whether dealing with Jews or non-Jews, individuals or government.
Thus, for example, the Code of Jewish Law rules that if a Jew finds property that has been entirely abandoned, but government law requires that such property be returned, then he must honestly comply with the government's law.
(Code of Jewish Law Choshen Mishpat 259:7)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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