- Torah and Jewish Thought
- Basics of Jewish Faith
refugees
Question
Does Jewish law regulate the treatment of refugees?
Does Jewish tradition provide any guidance whether we should help refugees?
Is there a halachic obligation/prohibition to support them? Is the answer dependent on whether the refugee is Jewish or not?
What kind of assistance does Jewish tradition command us to provide to refugees?
Are our personal feelings /fears/suspicions or even dislike of a specific group relevant in deciding how to act?
In a modern nation state, where most Jews live, does Jewish law compel us to act, even if there is a national policy in place, regulating refugees?
Is our Jewish past, our history of exile, of discrimination relevant in determining how we treat refugees?
Answer
ב"ה
Shalom
Jewish law is based on the Heavenly given Torah and the oral tradition that accompanies it. It is soul restoring only when complete from all aspects. The Toran and the oral tradition are full of commandments and regulations of helping orphans, widows, and the poor and showing compassion for them whether Jewish or not Jewish and this would include also refugees.
Israel as a state has sent rescue and medical teams around the world in times of disaster. Israel has treated the sick from all over the world including our neighboring hostile Gazza and the wounded even from enemy countries such as wounded Syrians at this very time. Israel has also taken in to its borders a fair amount of refugees over the years.
However, The Torah also provides guidelines to prevent situations which can be detrimental to physical and spiritual wellbeing of the people all depending upon the circumstances. Our Jewish past may have influence on the way we conduct ourselves, but it cannot alter Jewish Law.
The State of Israel conducts itself in a similar way just as it is accepted in other democratic countries do, but probably to a higher standard due to the constant criticism against Israel.
All the best

Prophecy today
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 25, 5782

age of universe and dinosaurs
Rabbi Ari Shvat |

rav Kook
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shevat 7, 5782
Yom Kippur and the Shuttle
Rabbi Berel Wein | 19 Adar I 5763

Rabbi Yoel Lieberman

Golden altar of Incense
Elul 14, 5769

Ma’ariv Times
Elul 11, 5769

Kashiring a Kettle
Av 30, 5769

Friday Night
Av 26, 5769

Tehillim for a deceased parent
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Tammuz 8, 5773

Keeping 1 or 2 days Yom Tov in Israel
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 23 Nisan 5766

Food, medications and Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 13, 5780

Mosquito netting on top of Succah
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 10 Tishrei 5767
Which pray jew can pray for pass away friend non jew?
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Elul 21, 5783

Urgent School Project
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 25, 5783

Tefillos Rosh Hashanah
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 3, 5784
