Tagged Questions

7
votes
2answers
96 views

Contradictions between Federal and State Laws as they relate to Dina De'Malchusa

I am wondering about the laws of Dina d'malchuta dina in the United States when there is a contradiction between state and federal laws. Case in point: In 2012 both Colorado and Washington passed ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views

Would I be allowed to sell my Chametz alcohol during the Prohibition?

During the Prohibition, owning alcohol was permitted, though selling it was prohibited. If I had a barrel of Vodka which I bought before the prohibition was made law, would I be allowed to sell it ...
6
votes
4answers
160 views

Is it a mitzvah to escape the death penalty from a secular court?

This question addresses whether it is a mitzvah to attempt to escape the death penalty if it is imposed by a Jewish court. The answer to this question seemed to be that it is not a mitzvah to attempt ...
5
votes
0answers
34 views

Pidyon Shevuyim - when does it apply?

Does the Mitzva of Pidyon Shevuyim apply in a case where one is being held in prison for having committed a crime or only where a innocent person was captured for ransom? If it does apply to cases ...
0
votes
1answer
72 views

Is it permitted to jay-walk on Shabbos if there is an automatic walk signal at the corner?

My shul has arranged that the cross-walk signals in front of the shul are automated on Shabbos so no one has to push a button to get a walk signal. This can be annoying for non-Jewish drivers who ...
-2
votes
1answer
79 views

Is one permitted to report inflated driving hours?

In the United States, all applicants for a driver license (and permit) must have driven a certain number of hours, which varies per state. In some states the number of required hours is very high, ...
7
votes
1answer
74 views

Is Dina D'Malchusa a din in Gavra or in Cheftza?

Let's say that Reuvain owes Shimon money in American law, and Dina Demalchusa applies, does that mean: Reuvein has a halachic monetary obligation to Shimon which is as strong as any other ...
5
votes
1answer
66 views

Halachic sources on business ethics in a globalized industry?

The usual rule in halachah, as far as business dealings, is הכל כמנהג המדינה - everything follows the local custom. This applies to things like expected product quality (Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat ...
4
votes
2answers
115 views

Handling Conflict between Jewish and Civil Law

This question is an offshoot from the one titled "Questions about Polygamy in Jewish Law and Culture" Taking under the knowledge that the previous question was well answered with an observation: It's ...
14
votes
2answers
154 views

Does Jewish Law Recognize Bankruptcy?

If someone borrowed money and then declared bankruptcy, does he still have a halachic obligation to pay it back? If the lender was a corporation (bank, etc.). If the lender was a friend. Do we say ...
14
votes
2answers
112 views

What defines a country to be a legitimate country?

There are a few Halachas that apply to a Jew's relationship with his country. For example, Dina Dmalchusa, another is not to rebel (although its Halachic strength is disputed, all agree that under ...
5
votes
3answers
163 views

Is there any issue except for Dina Dmalchusa in counterfeiting money?

If someone were to find a way to make exact forgery of currency (in such a way that it would be impossible for anyone to find that it's counterfeit), would there be any prohibition to do so (except ...
7
votes
1answer
80 views

Limits to Financial Dina Dmalchusa

What are the limits of Dina Dmalchusa (specifically financial Dina Dmalchusa, unlike this question which deals with non-financial dina dmalchusa)? In general, dina dmalchusa means one must pay taxes ...
11
votes
3answers
224 views

Limits to Dina Dmalchusa Dina

What are the specifications of Dina Dimalchusah? A more targeted question to answer would be: If I ripped off the label of my mattress — the label that says its removal is punishable by federal ...