Vayeitzei 5786 – Taxes and Taxis

The Israeli taxi driver is one of the country’s most beloved institutions. He will regale you with his life story, explain how he only became a taxi driver after giving up careers as a Rosh Yeshiva or a dentist, and describe how he could stop the Russia-Ukraine war—all within the span of a 10-minute journey.

This week we read about the travels and adventures of Yaakov Avinu. One journey, in particular, stands out: the journey that never happened.

The Gemara (Chullin 91b) says that when Yaakov arrived in Charan, he was unsure whether he had passed over Har HaMoriah, the site of the future Beis HaMikdash, where his ancestors had prayed and he had not. This caused him great distress, so he decided to go back. Immediately, a Kefitzas Haderech (“shortening of the path”) occurred, and he suddenly found himself on the holy mountain of Har HaMoriah.

There is much debate as to how exactly Kefitzas Haderech occurs.

The Chida asks: How could Yaakov be unsure whether he had passed over Har HaMoriah? He explains that there had been a previous Kefitzas Haderech when Yaakov first travelled from Be’er Sheva to Charan. He simply did not understand how it worked. Was it that an angel carried him on what would have been an 18-day journey in just a few hours? Or had Charan itself been miraculously uprooted and brought near Be’er Sheva, only to return to its proper place?

The Ben Yehoyada disagrees. He finds it unreasonable to suggest that Charan was uprooted. Why would Hashem perform two miracles—moving Charan back and forth—instead of just one? Rather, he explains, Kefitzas Haderech can occur in one of two ways: either one travels on a cloud in the sky, or one’s leg strides miraculously lengthen. Yaakov was unsure which had happened. Had he been on a cloud, he would not have passed through Har HaMoriah; had he been on miraculous strides, he would have. He simply did not realize what was happening, as he was too immersed in having the right kavanos and Yichudim—intentions and spiritual focus.

It seems Israeli taxi drivers face a similar problem. According to Israeli law, a taxi driver must turn on the Moneh (meter) for every journey. They are allowed to charge whatever the passenger agrees to, but the meter must be on. This was introduced a few years ago as a way of tracking taxi drivers’ income. A recent investigation by the Tax Authorities found that a staggering 80% of taxi drivers do not do this. This move costs the government millions in lost tax revenue each year, as passengers simply experience a modern-day Kefitzas Haderech.

For any taxi-related or other financial issues, please reach out at [email protected].

Good Shabbos.