- Halacha
- Current Events
357
Question
Has the current government of Israel acted in defiance of G-D’s will (Halacha) by paying an EXORBITANT ransom to free one kidnapped person and 3 corpses?
Does not G-D instruct us in Shulchan Aruch that EXORBITANT ransoms only encourage others to repeat the crime?
What sort of sanctions can a Rabbinical court impose against such a government?
Is there a Rabinnical court that is willing to do so?
Answer
Rabbinical courts in Israel are authorized by State law to deal only with issues of personal staus- divorce etc. The government of Israel does not, unfortunately, see itself bound by Halacha.
You are correct in your assertion that it is forbidden to ransom prisoners at a price that exceeds what would be demanded of other nations. However, in a wartime situation the overrding halachic consideration in each case is what will assist Israel in winning the war.

Saving the lives of people by killing a potential murderer.
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 19 Tishrei 5767

Fasting Purim urgent
Rabbi David Sperling | Adar 13, 5781

The Banning of Arutz 7
Rabbi David Samson | 4 Cheshvan 5764

Social Distancing
Rabbi David Sperling | Adar 26, 5780

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Charity for non-Jews
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Sivan 3, 5769

Anita’s ice cream store in Aventura is it kosher?
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Tammuz 22, 5784

cutting nails during omer
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 29, 5773

Gentile inferiority due to genetics.
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Adar 6, 5785

coffee creamer
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 25, 5785

Is the Shulchan Hatahor (Komarno) acceptable for halacha?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 25, 5785
