By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com
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To vote or not to vote? Is there really a Mitzvah to do so? Should we be filling out absentee ballots? Some are so sickened by the presidential campaign that they are actually tempted not to vote.
In the past, Yeshivos have all sent out reminders that we should vote.
One Yeshiva sent out an emailed memo:
“Dear Parents,
As our community continues to grow in size it is absolutely critical that we exercise our right to vote proportionately.
Our schools, our shuls, our homes, our children, and indeed ourselves all rely on competent and fair representation at all levels of Government – but if we do not vote, we do not count. We urge you all to make the time to vote on Tuesday, November 8. There are many contested races this year, from state legislative races up to the presidential race, and it is critically important that you vote in every race that applies to you. Additionally, the entire State legislature is up for election this year..”
But is there an actual halachic obligation to vote?
The short answer is – yes.
THE OBLIGATION – RAV FEINSTEIN’S VIEW
Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l discusses the obligation to vote in an English letter, and finds the source of such an obligation in the notion of Hakaras HaTov—expressing our gratitude. In 1984, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York was conducting a voter registration campaign. Rav Moshe Feinstein was approached and responded that, in fact, Jews should vote.
Subsequently, a letter was released signed by Rav Feinstein delineating the obligation to vote. The letter stated:
“On reaching the shores of the United States, Jews found a safe haven. The rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights have allowed us the freedom to practice our religion without interference and to live in this republic in safety.
A fundamental principle of Judaism is hakaras hatov — recognizing benefits afforded us and giving expression to our appreciation. Therefore, it is incumbent on each Jewish citizen to participate in the democratic system which guards the freedoms we enjoy. The most fundamental responsibility incumbent on each individual is to register and to vote.
Therefore, I urge all members of the Jewish community to fulfill their obligations by registering as soon as possible, and by voting. By this, we can express our appreciation and contribute to the continued security of our community.”
RECTIFYING AN URGENT MATTER
On the other hand, the Steipler Gaon zt”l seems to view the obligation of voting as a means of fulfilling the need to rectify an urgent matter. Indeed, he is cited in Orchos Rabbeinu p. 141 in Cheshvan of 5726, as even having permitted a mourner within the seven days of mourning to vote when the need to vote is urgent.
RESPECTING THE VIEW OF THE GEDOLEI TORAH
The Slonimer Rebbe zt”l and others (See Bais Yaakov Yerichon L’Inyanei Chinuch 027-028 p. 30) have proposed an entirely different reason for the obligation. They write that the obligation to vote stems from the obligation to respect the view of Gedolei Torah.
STRENGTHENING TORAH
The Vishnitzer Rebbe writes that the obligation to vote in Israel stems from the obligation to strengthen Torah (Michtevei Kodesh #238).
DO THESE REASONS APPLY HERE?
Does this obligation to vote apply in the United States? Of course Rav Feinstein’s reason was stated her, so for that issue there is no question. But what about the other three reasons?
It would seem, from the urgency of the Yeshiva letter mentioned above that it does. One should also vote in every election that effects such matters as well. It would also seem that it is worthwhile to investigate or to perhaps at least ask around as to which candidate would help support the Torah way of life most.
In conclusion, there does seem to be a halachic obligation to vote either stemming from Hakaras HaTov, according to Rav Feinstein zt”l, rectifying an urgent matter according to the Steipler zt”l, respecting the view of the Gedolei Torah according to the Slonimer Rebbe, and from the obligation of strengthening Torah according to the Vishnitzer Rebbe.
We also do not see any indication that the above reasons are mutually exclusive. In other words, there could very well be four different halachic reasons that we should be voting. May Hashem guide us all in making the right decisions as to who we should vote for.
The author can be reached at [email protected].
Yup but only if you vote for Biden.
4 more years , to make America great and continue President Trump’s awesome accomplishements.
A vote for Biden-Kamala is a vote for a depraved fascist communist agenda.
Vote as if our lives depend it , cuz it does.
A Satantist Dem ticket will destroy our economy and wipe out bank accounts.
Not to mention : Inmates, having been released by thousands, will rule our communities.
Filth & dung cleanup time.
Let’s make it at least a 48 state sweep for our beloved 45..
All his life , Donald Trump was very generous dispensing charity , and also to Jewish causes.
Demented Joe never gave a dime , but smiled a lot – especially in company of the hooded bunch- KKK.
It’s a mitzvah to vote for a candidate who gives employment to millions of families , because their jobs were once shipped overseas by Biden’s Obama and even Bush and RINOS.
No brainer here..
G-D has chosen the great President Trump to demolish worldwide propup of the PLO , Hamas & Hezbollah in one fell swoop.
UAE & now Bahrain making peace with Israel.
He has closed the PLO in DC , has voted against anti Israel UN resolution, has halted $ millions from getting to PLO – has almost marginalized it.
BDS almost not relevant anymore.
Arab states fed up with Palestinians .
Who would have believed that this could happen in 4 short years.
Not to mention his astounding successes in the USA , .
A Jew voting for the Democrats is a :
1_ kofui tovah … a flagrant shameless ingrate ; violation of the Torah.
2_ an abettor of the destroy America agenda.
Shabbat Shalom.
This year it’s pekuach nefesh to vote. And of course to vote for President Trump. If he loses G-d forbid then rioting and looting and police defunding will be in just about every state.
There are core policies at stake as the democrat party is left of the political spectrum at this point. The POLICIES are the issue. Questioning the President’s character is so foolish as there is so much unspoken facts of what this man has done as a citizen and as President. Results are what counts and he is the hardest working president we ever had. He has at least four important qualities: 1) he is not a politician; 2) he is a billionaire (doesn’t need handouts or can’t get paid off); 3) he is a businessman. He is from the private sector who works on getting results. Government hates him because he shows how inefficient they are. That’s why he can get a vaccine faster than anyone thought possible. Washington and the government is a quagmire of working slow and wasting taxpayer money; 4) that he is a New Yorker explains much of his character. He was brought up in a blue collar neighborhood and his father took him around to the construction sites and when his father needed to collect rent. He showed his son what work is. People have it all wrong about him. He may be a character but a heart of gold and an energy level that government has never seen.
The bottom line: if we don’t go out and vote, don’t complain at the dire situation this country is in and will continue to be in. Re-electing a de Blasio or Cuomo because you sat home, that’s the result. A bitter lesson when you don’t participate.