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a sandwich sitting on top of a wooden table

The world of Israeli kashrut can be daunting and utterly confusing to anyone—especially a chutznik who hasn’t been in Israel for very long. The sheer array of stamps and labels on packaging, stickers on packets, and long, convoluted sentences can be overwhelming. Labels such as “Kosher for Pesach for those who are worried about kitniot the rest of the year” only add to the confusion.A notable case illustrating this was tried in the Israeli courts a few years ago. A customer frequented a McDonald’s during Pesach and ordered the “Pesach Special Royal Burger,” which came in a special Pesachdik bun. He then ordered an ice cream from the “Special Desserts for Pesach” menu. To his shock, the ice cream came with an ordinary cone. Predictably, an argument ensued, as it became clear that the “Pesach Special” was prepared in a completely chametz-containing kitchen. The customer claimed he was so upset and stressed about inadvertently eating chametz that he spent the rest of the holiday at home sulking. He subsequently attempted to sue McDonald’s for 63 million shekels.However, there is an important other side to the story. The McDonald’s branch he visited was not kosher year-round. It made no claims or pretenses to be—like roughly 70% of McDonald’s branches in Israel, it had no kosher certification at all. The “Pesach Special” was merely a special menu item, not a kosher one. The court dismissed the case, ruling that the man should have taken personal responsibility, as McDonald’s had done nothing wrong.During Pesach, we celebrate our freedom. But if we stop being slaves of Pharaoh only to become servants of Hashem, are we truly free?Chazal (Avos 6:2) teach that true freedom comes only from engaging in Torah. Western society often defines freedom as the ability to follow one’s desires. The Torah, however, teaches that freedom is achieved when one transcends their desires—rising above base instincts and drives in order to serve something higher and live a life of meaning and value. Freedom means taking responsibility for one’s actions and owning them.Making matza requires constant motion and careful attention to ensure nothing goes wrong. Chametz, by contrast, is produced through passivity—letting the world pass by and determine your fate. The Jews in Egypt were commanded to slaughter the sheep, not to be like sheep.כימי צאתך מארץ מצרים אראנו נפלאותFor any Chametz related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il.Good Shabbos.

Pesach 5786 – McDonalds Pesach Special

gold and silver round frame magnifying glass

Mas Hachnassa is now grappling with what could be the largest tax payment they have ever faced. The sale of Wiz to Google is generating a liability that could exceed 10 billion shekels.The amounts are eye-watering and can humble anyone when reflecting on their own financial position and achievements. Similarly, in the spiritual realm, when we witness the great acts of kindness taking place across the country and compare them to even our smallest gestures, it can feel disheartening.However, in this week’s Parsha, we are taught about the various voluntary offerings a person could bring to the Beis Hamikdash. These offerings ranged from a cow to a bird to a Mincha (baked) offering. The Mishna in Menachos (110a) points out that the Torah describes each of these as a “pleasant fire smell before Hashem.” Recognizing that these offerings would have been brought by people of differing financial means, the Mishna makes the famous statement: “Both the one who does more and the one who does less are equal, provided their intentions are for Heaven.”Tosfos Yom Tov on Maseches Avos (2:16) asks: why would someone choose to do more if they could do less and still be equal, provided they have the right intentions?He answers that when a person has the ability to do more but chooses to do less, they are clearly being lax in their responsibilities and not acting with the proper intentions. A person with the right beliefs and values will always strive to do the maximum they possibly can. When the only limiting factors are the external circumstances that Hashem places them in, all people are valued equally.Each of us is placed in a unique set of conditions and opportunities throughout our life, and we are only responsible for how we act in those circumstances. May we always strive to live life to the fullest.For any billion shekel related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il. Good Shabbos.

Vayikra 5786 – More or Less

Accountant working hands using calculator and laptop. business finance planning at desk with financial tax documents invoice , pen, and technology management payroll online internet banking concept.

This week we read about the Torah’s first and only financial audit. Moshe gives a line-by-line account of all the ins and outs of the Mishkan’s accounts: what was donated, how much, and what it was used for.There is a debate among the Meforshim as to whether this audit was commanded by Hashem, requested by the people, or initiated by Moshe for the sake of transparency.However, there is a mysterious omission. The Torah tells us exactly how much gold was collected, but unlike the silver and copper, it does not tell us what the gold was used for. Any auditor would instantly notice this discrepancy.The Toldos Yitzchak, R’ Yitzchak Kairo—uncle of the famous R’ Yossef Kairo—suggests two possible approaches. Firstly, the gold was donated only by the wealthier members of Bnei Yisrael. Such people were generally more relaxed about their finances and saw no need for an audit. They were happy to trust Moshe, whereas the poorer individuals who donated silver and copper were more scrupulous and demanded accountability.Secondly, the gold was needed for so many things: the Aron, the Menorah, the Shulchan, the covering beams, and the weaving of priestly garments. There was absolutely no way the amount of gold donated could cover all these needs—it was clearly a miracle. So evident was the need for a miracle that giving a precise accounting would have been meaningless.May we continue to experience miraculous results in this war, which defies statistics and all rational understanding.For any Mishkan related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il. Good Shabbos.

Vayakhel-Pikudei 5786 – Magical Numbers

Ancient Roman coin hoard, lot of old money in wooden pot, vintage background. Concept of Rome, antique, texture, civilization and history

What’s the fairest way to tax people?Should everyone pay the same fixed amount of money every year? Should everyone pay the same percentage of their income every year? Maybe only those who have above-average earnings or assets should have to pay? Or perhaps those who take the most from the system in services?These are questions that every country must deal with each year when it sets a budget and decides on its tax laws.When the Bnei Yisrael in the desert had to raise money to build the Mishkan, there was an interesting blend of approaches. Rashi (30:15) tells us that there were three collections:The sockets at the bottom of the Mishkan’s beams – half a shekel per person. The annual communal Korbanos – also half a shekel per person. All other materials needed – whatever each person wanted to give, inevitably resulting in the wealthier giving more. The first two half-shekels per person were simultaneously used as a means of counting the people. One can therefore understand why it was vital to have an equal amount per person.The Chizkuni adds that this was important in order to imbue the foundations of the Mishkan and the Korbanos with a sense of equity. Every person would have an equal share in the Mishkan and the Korbanos, because every person was equal.Reb Yehuda HaChossid, brought in Moshav Zekeinim, offers a unique explanation which bridges the gap between the necessity of equal amounts for the purpose of the census and the seeming unfairness of the rich and poor needing to give the same amount. He says that initially everyone donated whatever silver they could in accordance with their financial position. Then Moshe took all the silver and melted it into half-shekel coins. These coins were distributed to everyone and then subsequently donated and counted. This ensured that everyone was counted fairly.This week we gave three half-shekels to charity as a custom in memory of the annual donations towards the Korbanos. The Gemara in Megillah says that these shekels pre-empted the shekels that Haman offered to pay Achashverosh to destroy the Jews.May our shekels pre-empt the Hamans and K-Haman-is of our day!For any half shekel related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il. Good Shabbos.

Ki Sisa 5786 – More Equal

Close up of a pile of Hamantaschen Cookies

Where does the word “tax” appear in the Megillah?The answer is, of course, the last perek.“And King Achashverosh placed a tax upon all the land and the islands.” (10:1)Why is this relevant to the story? How is it connected to the miracle? Surely it wasn’t included merely to provide content for the world’s first and only Torah &amp; Taxes blog.The Brisker Rov explains that this, too, was part and parcel of the miracle. After Achashverosh gave the Jews the opportunity not only to save themselves but also to defeat their enemies, many antisemites were left deeply unhappy. A large group had supported Haman and would have been perfectly content to see the Jews massacred. These people could easily have turned their resentment into a rebellion against the king — yet they did not.Why not? Logically, things should not have simply continued as normal. The kingdom had undergone major upheaval and widespread confusion. However, Hashem had another plan: miraculously, everything calmed down.What greater sign of stability and normalcy is there than taxes?Achashverosh was not a particularly powerful ruler — yet he even managed to impose a tax increase without unrest.Purim teaches us to look beyond the mundane, to peer past the mask and the external appearances. Even in something as bland and ordinary as taxes, there is a Divine hand calmly and quietly guiding the world in the right direction.For any sober advice or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il.&nbsp;Happy Purim!!!!

Purim 5786 – And they all went home and got Taxed

GIVE and TAKE word on real white speech bubble paper cut transfer arrow on yellow background,  Business give , charity, knowhow,  take concept

This week’s Parsha discusses the building of the Mishkan and begins where every good Jewish project needs to start — fundraising.The Torah uses rather peculiar language when giving the commandment: “take for Me a donation.” Surely it should say “give” a donation, not take?The Ibn Ezra brings examples from various places in Tanach showing that the words “give” and “take” are sometimes used interchangeably.The Netziv points out that the commandment was directed primarily at the leadership of the community, from Moshe downward, to organize the collections. They were commanded to encourage — and, when necessary, even compel — the masses to contribute what was needed for the Mishkan.The Brisker Rav goes so far as to say that there was no obligation on the individual to donate at all. Rather, there was an obligation that the Mishkan be built, and it fell upon the community collectively to ensure that this goal was achieved. Whoever was inspired by the cause and chose to contribute did so as a personal merit.Most tax systems are not so forgiving. Not only is each individual expected to pay their own liabilities, but — as many first-timers are surprised to learn — the responsibility for calculating that liability rests on them as well. Some people say that if the government wants their money, it should come and get it. Unfortunately, that’s not how things work. Citizens are legally obligated to report their income and pay their liabilities.Additionally, there is often disappointment that the money is spent on things not quite as lofty as the Mishkan.For any Mishkan related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il. Good Shabbos.

Torah & Taxes Blog

Pesach 5786 – McDonalds Pesach Special

Vayikra 5786 – More or Less

Vayakhel-Pikudei 5786 – Magical Numbers

Ki Sisa 5786 – More Equal

Purim 5786 – And they all went home and got Taxed

Terumah 5786 – Give & Take