Interesting psak: Stealing from the government and painting over sins (taxes)

Bechadrei is reporting an interesting psak (more than one, actually) from Rav Shteinman.

The question recently asked of Rav Shteinman is an age-old question, but it is a question that gets a lot of different answers.

Rav Shteinman was asked if one must pay taxes to the government in Israel. The question was actually framed a little differently. It was asked if one is allowed to steal from the Israeli government, considering that they collect taxes from people illegally (or maybe unfairly is a better word).

Note: before presenting his response, I will point out that no explanation was given as to how the government collects taxes illegally or unfairly. It is just a statement. It seems to me that the government has the right to collect taxes, and every government in the world does, in order to pay for the services it is required to offer (road works, garbage collection, welfare programs, security, development, firefighting, lifeguards, nature reserves, etc.). Perhaps he meant the taxes are, in his opinion, too high.

Rav Shteinman answered sharply in the negative saying that it is completely prohibited. The explanation provided was that the attempt to allow it is based on the concept of stealing from a thief, but in reality stealing from a thief is also prohibited.


Another question asked was about money someone received from the government, but he was not sure if he actually deserves it or not.

I'd love to know more details about this. If the government gave money as a mistake, as sometimes happens, eventually they catch up and charge for it back with interest. If it is for a questionable claim, like workmans comp that the government evaluated him as deserving but he thinks himself not deserving, for whatever reason, the halacha could be different in each scenario, trying to determine whether or not he deserves it.

Anyways, Rav Shteinman's answer was that he should give the money back because it is a safek and safek d'oraisa l'chumra. But he should give it back without identifying himself (use a cashiers check, if they even have that in Israel?)

Another question asked, and this I don't even get the "hava amina", is that someone bought an apartment from a non-religious Jew. Is there a concept of repainting the entire apartment because sins had been performed within?

I don't get it. What exactly would the paint do? cover it up? if there would be a need to paint, maybe it should just be prohibited to buy such an apartment, or only buy it if you can knock it down and rebuild it from scratch.

Anyways, the answer is that there is no such concept and it is just throwing away money.

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