By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com
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 here, so for that issue there is no question. But what about the other three reasons?
It would seem, from the proliferation of letters from yeshivos and shuls 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.
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One of the organizations that seems to analyze the issues in light of reason #4 makes the following recommendations for Far Rockaway.
- Vote “No” on all 5 ballot proposals
- Mayor – Eric L, Adams (D)
- Public Advocate – Anthony L. Herbert (C)
- Comptroller – Daby Carreras (R)
- Queens Borough President – Donovan Richards (D)
Council Members
- Selvena Brooks-Powers (D)- Far Rockaway
- Joann Ariola (R) – Belle Harbor & Kew Gardens
- Justice of the Supreme Court
- David J. Kirschner
- Michele R. Titus
- Kenneth C. Holder
- Denis J. Butler
- John C Spataro
Vote “No” on all 5 ballot proposals
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].
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3 Responses
From Rav Avigdor Miller ע״ה
And so, it’s up to us to speak up and write letters; we must write to congressmen and protest constantly. And not to vote for liberals! Don’t vote for a liberal! Reagan is running now; it’s an opportunity. He’s a decent man. Of course I’m not going to put an OK on him and say a kosher l’mehadrin min hamehadrin, but as far as goyishe candidates go, everybody should work for Reagan. Forget about being a Democrat, forget about your party affiliation, forget about the private deals. Some institutions make private deals with the politicians and they sell their vote or the votes of the Jews; don’t listen to them! Make it your business that the Jewish people should vote for Reagan – he’s more conservative and more decent than the others – because we have to fight for decency. It’s our big job today.
Rav Avigdor Miller on How To Choose A President
Q:
Who should we vote for for President?
A:
We should vote for the one who appears to us to be the most conservative. Now, I can’t tell you who that is. But there’s no question that the conservatives of today are extremely more liberal than the liberals of thirty years ago. We have already advanced so far beyond the borders of liberalism, that today we can afford to retreat many miles behind these boundries and still remain in the forefront of liberalism. And therefore, today there’s no such thing as too much conservatism. You have to vote for conservative candidates on every level – on national, state and city levels.
That’s my opinion. By the way, nobody here has to agree with me – on anything. Only, I don’t have to agree with you either.
TAPE # 133 (July 1976)
Rav Avigdor Miller ע״ה was a נביא who saw so clearly ahead by 40 yrs what would happen in the United States.
Q:
Why is there so much divorce in America?
A:
Why is there so much everything else in America? Why is there so much crime in America? What is there so much suicide in America? Among the youth, suicide is increasing rapidly. Why is there so much narcotics in America?
And the answer is America has thrown away its discipline, its law and order. The liberals have seized control of the media and they have ruined the nation. We have to worry what’s going to be in twenty years from now when the ruined youth will become the judges.
Even today we have terrible judges who are the result of the 1960’s; criminals who are sitting in black gowns. These criminals are the result of the 1960 youth, the rebels. What’s going to be twenty years from now? America is in a very bad state and it’s important we should do something about it.
So therefore, what’s wrong with America is that they are raising up generations of dragon’s teeth; we’re going to sow a crop that’s going to be chas v’shalom a disaster. The children in public schools today are being ruined by an education that promotes disorder and immorality, and divorce is merely one phase of the decay of American society.
TAPE # 506 (April 1984)