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Overhead flat-lay of diverse shoe styles including sneakers, oxfords, trainers, loafers, and boots arranged on white wooden surface

There is a fascinating contradiction in the pesukim regarding whether Bnei Yisrael wore shoes in the desert. In this week’s parsha (Devarim 8:4), we are told that their “feet did not become swollen” from walking in the desert, implying that they walked barefoot. However, in Parshas Ki Savo (Devarim 29:4), it says, “your shoes did not wear out on your feet.”The Sifsei Chachamim explains that only those who left Egypt had shoes, while the younger generation born in the desert did not. The Mizrachi suggests that when the Torah says their feet did not become swollen, it is דווקא because they had shoes.The Chida quotes the Shach on the Torah, who explains that the miracle was that it did not matter whether or not they had shoes, as the Clouds of Glory carried them as if they were merely sitting on a ship. This explains how they were able to travel continuously for three days and nights away from Har Sinai. He further explains that we sleep in the sukkah to remind us of these journeys, during which they were protected and carried by the Clouds of Glory, even at night.In life, we purchase many items, some last, and some do not. In tax terms, this is called depreciation, or in layman’s terms, wear and tear. The government assigns fixed percentages for each type of asset that can be claimed as a legitimate expense, regardless of the item’s actual condition. Accordingly, the shoes of Bnei Yisrael would still qualify for depreciation deductions, despite their miraculous state of perfect preservation.For any Shoe related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il.Good Shabbos.

Eikev 5786 – Non-depreciating shoes

Often in life, we find ourselves having to justify our actions to those around us. Why were we late? Why didn’t we do what was asked of us? What was this decision based on?Do we always have to explain ourselves to everyone? Who cares what other people think?When the tribes of Reuven and Gad wanted to settle in Transjordan rather than live in Eretz Yisrael proper, Moshe rebuked them and set out a path whereby they would be “clean before both Hashem and man” (32:22).From here, Chazal learn that a person must always be careful to avoid even the suspicion of wrongdoing. They illustrate this with the steps taken when the Kohen would handle public funds: he would carry nothing on his person in which money could be concealed, and he would even speak continuously, lest he hide something in his mouth.How far does this go?R’ Shlomo Alkebetz, in Shoresh Yishai (his commentary on Megillas Rus, 3:11), makes a striking observation. When Boaz discovers that Rus has entered his threshing floor at night, he confronts her. Upon understanding that her intentions are pure, he promises that “all that you say I will do, for all the people of the gate know that you are a woman of valor.”Onkelos translates “people of the gate” as the Sanhedrin. R’ Alkebetz points out that although Boaz, in marrying a Moabite woman, was undertaking a controversial act, he was concerned only with the judgment of the Sanhedrin—not with what the layman might think. From here he derives that being “clean” does not extend to those who lack the understanding to properly evaluate the depth and value of Torah.When dealing with government agencies in Israel, people often become frustrated because they feel misunderstood. My advice is always the same: never assume competence or prior knowledge in any interaction. Sometimes, you really do have to deal with people who simply don’t understand.For any crazy government related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il.Good Shabbos.

Mattos - Masei 5786 – But they’re crazy!

Textured ground terrain with jagged rocks and dirt in moody stormy lighting

Love it or hate it, Israel is in election mode. A meaningless cycle of mudslinging and narrative manipulation is being thrust into innocent citizens’ lives at a worrying pace.Mas Hachnasa is also taking part—but in its own unique way. The head of the ITA (Israel Tax Authority) laid out what he believes should be the budget for 2027: all the wonderful new tax hikes he’d love to see. No minimum threshold on rental income. Scrap the Eilat VAT exemption. No more VAT-free Amazon and Next orders.It’s all great (NOT!), but he seems to have forgotten that his role is to manage an organisation, not determine policy. That will be decided by the government of the day—whomever the electorate chooses as the least terrible option.In this week’s parsha, we also see someone getting a bit ahead of themselves. Korach is out for the top job, seeking to make himself the Kohen Gadol. Moshe’s response is startling:“If a creation should be created and the land opens its mouth to swallow them and all that they own, and they will go down alive into the abyss, then you shall know that these people have angered Hashem.” (16:30)Rashi explains that Moshe was saying: if a sinkhole already exists, Hashem should use it—and if not, He should create one on the spot.Why was this so important?The Sefer HaIkrim (4:22) says that it is fundamental to our belief system that a tzaddik of sufficient righteousness has complete control over nature. They can command, and the laws of nature must follow. For example, when Eliyahu decreed that rain should stop to punish the people for their idolatry, it did.So too here—Moshe saw that Korach was not challenging him and his brother personally; he was challenging the very institution of a tzaddik. The idea that a person can grow and develop themselves into a position of power and stature that the layman simply cannot attain.Moshe proved this by demonstrating, with precision, the power that Hashem grants to those who follow His will.We live in an age where everyone—and everyone’s opinion—is treated as equal. The Torah teaches us that power and stature in society should be earned through self-development, and that positions of authority should be given to those who can fulfil them meaningfully.For any sinkhole related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il.Good Shabbos.

Korach 5786 – It’s not your Job

Everything in life has pros and cons—ups and downs, arguments for and against. Making Aliyah is very much one of those decisions that is never 100% clear-cut in either direction.The Spies were a classic example of how biases and preconceived notions can lead to negative conclusions. As the Gemara tells us, their mouths came before their eyes. They had some valid reasons to want to remain in the Midbar: receiving manna daily and being able to devote their full energies to lofty spiritual pursuits. However, Hashem’s plan was otherwise.There is a fascinating Gemara (Kesubos 75a) in which the Amoraim in Bavel wistfully comment about their counterparts in Eretz Yisrael. Abaye says that one Israeli is equal to two Chutzniks. Rava responds that one of us—Babylonians—who makes Aliyah is better than two of them.The Maharal points out that the math doesn’t seem to work. Why is it that when a person makes Aliyah, they effectively quadruple in stature? He explains that because the air of Eretz Yisrael fosters wisdom, the Amoraim in Bavel had to work harder to overcome a lack of clarity in order to achieve their level of Torah greatness. Naturally, those in Eretz Yisrael still had an advantage—“double speed,” so to speak. However, when a Chutznik brings the skills developed through struggle in Bavel and combines them with the clarity of Eretz Yisrael, the result is exponential growth.There are many factors to consider when thinking about Aliyah. Recently, I received a call from a potential olah chadasha to discuss her tax position were she to make the move. It took me an unusually long time to realize that the crux of her concern was what would happen when the 10-year tax exemption period ends. I felt compelled to gently explain that, as a young single woman with her life and career ahead of her, the decision to make Aliyah should be based on a broad range of values—not on a relatively minor potential tax liability more than a decade in the future.May we be blessed to recognize the opportunities of this land, which, as Kalev said, after all is said and done, is very, very good.For any Aliyah related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il.Good Shabbos.

Shlach 5786 – Ze Land is Good Very Very

Shavuos is unique as it is the only Yom Tov in the Torah for which we are not told explicitly the date on which the Chag is to be celebrated. We are only informed that it is to be 50 days after the first day of Pesach. In fact, back in the “good old days” when Rosh Chodesh was determined based on witnesses, the exact calendar date could vary depending on whether the months of Nissan and Iyar were 29 or 30 days.The Torah is equally cryptic in not mentioning any connection between the Chag of Shavuos and the historical event of Matan Torah. It is only Chazal who make this connection. The Chasam Sofer points out that this was a factor in the Tzedukim’s claim that Shavuos was always on a Sunday, and not simply 50 days after Pesach. If Shavuos were meant to commemorate the day the Torah was given, the Torah should have said so.The Chasam Sofer answers both questions at once based on comments of the Ramban regarding another glaring omission from the Torah: Olam Haba. The Ramban explains that the Torah need not inform us of spiritual reward for mitzvos; that is taken for granted. The Torah does, however, speak at length about the physical rewards for keeping the Torah. So too, the giving of the Torah was such an essential part of Jewish life that it goes without saying. Instead, the Torah stresses the harvest-festival aspect of Chag HaKatzir and the time of bringing the Bikkurim, teaching us that Hashem does not only give us spiritual guidance, but also provides the physical tools to complete our divine mission.Tax season is upon us, and the usual stress of getting everything together has kicked in. However, before we consider how much we have to give or receive back, we should first take a moment to be thankful for the gifts of Shavuos. Not only did Hashem give us the Torah, the ultimate guide to life, but He also gave us the physical sustenance that enables us to follow that guide in health and happiness.For any harvest related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il.Good Yom Tov &amp; Good Shabbos

Shavuos 5786 – That time of Year Again

Sefer Bamidbar is referred to by Chazal in various Gemaras as “Chumash HaPekudim,” the Book of Numbers. Rashi explains this as a reference to the two censuses performed in this Chumash—one in this week’s parsha and the second in Parshas Pinchas.Counting the Jewish people is a recurring theme throughout the Torah. Rashi explains that this is an expression of Hashem’s love for His people. The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 428:4) states that Parshas Bamidbar should always be read before Shavuos.Ostensibly, this is due to a technicality. Tosafos in Megillah 31b explains that we do not want the curses of Bechukosai to be read immediately before the Day of Judgment for fruit, namely Shavuos. The Levush explains that we do not want to “open the mouth of the Satan” for potential accusations by mentioning curses in such close proximity. Parshas Bamidbar provides a gap of at least a week, allowing things to settle.Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that there is an additional message. In any census, all people are counted equally. No one is counted twice or given a higher value, as that would defeat the purpose of the exercise. This serves as a mindset going into Shavuos: when it comes to receiving the Torah, everyone must approach it with a strong sense of self-worth and readiness to engage with the Divine teachings and responsibilities.When it comes to taxes, not every number is treated as significant. Accountants often dismiss discrepancies as immaterial or not worth the effort. In Judaism, however, it is never that way. Every individual has infinite value and deserves to be counted—and only then are they truly worthy of receiving the Torah.For any number related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at aharon@goldwaterfs.co.il.Good Shabbos.

Torah & Taxes Blog

Eikev 5786 – Non-depreciating shoes

Mattos - Masei 5786 – But they’re crazy!

Korach 5786 – It’s not your Job

Shlach 5786 – Ze Land is Good Very Very

Shavuos 5786 – That time of Year Again

Bamidbar 5786 – The Book of Numbers