What Is the Charedi View on How Taxes Are Spent by the State?
Charedim, like all Israeli citizens, live under the authority of a government that collects and distributes public funds. And like everyone, they have a vested interest in how those funds are spent. But for Torah-observant Jews, the issue goes far deeper than economics. It touches on the core values of Torah, justice, kedushah, and truth.
In short: Charedim feel that not only are taxes collected from them unfairly, but they are often used to support values and systems directly opposed to the Torah. This creates both spiritual and ethical concerns that cannot be ignored.
1. Unequal Funding: Charedim Pay, Others Benefit More
Despite increasing participation in the workforce, rising property values in Charedi neighborhoods, and significant indirect tax contributions, Charedi institutions often receive far less per capita than their secular counterparts.
Education Funding Disparity Public education in Israel is divided into multiple streams: secular, Dati Leumi, and Charedi (Chinuch Atzmai or independent frameworks). While secular schools are fully funded, Charedi schools frequently receive only a fraction of the funding per student, even when those schools educate more children, for less cost, and with fewer disciplinary problems.
For example, secular schools receive funding for full-day programming, busing, enrichment, and after-school services. Many Charedi schools do not receive equal support for basic needs such as building maintenance, teacher salaries, or security.
Yet Charedi families—many with 6 to 10 children—pay full VAT and municipal taxes on every purchase and bill. They fund the system, but are often told: “You chose your lifestyle, so don’t expect equal support.”
Higher Education and Workforce Programs Government-subsidized job training and higher education often prioritize those who served in the IDF, even though the State blocks many Charedim from working until age 26 unless they enlist (as discussed in a previous section). This double standard keeps Charedi families economically dependent and then blames them for needing assistance.
2. Funding What Torah Prohibits
Beyond the inequality, Charedim are pained by the fact that their tax money is often used to fund activities that violate halacha and offend Torah values.
Public Chillul Shabbos Government-run services such as transportation, utilities, and public entertainment are increasingly open on Shabbos—funded by taxes from Torah Jews who sanctify Shabbos as a covenant with Hashem. This is not just a policy disagreement. It is a spiritual injury.
Support for To’eivah (Forbidden Lifestyles) Israeli government funds are allocated for LGBTQ+ education in schools, pride parades, and promotional campaigns. Charedim do not hate individuals, chas v’shalom, but they believe Torah values should not be mocked or publicly undermined using their hard-earned shekels.
Cultural Institutions that Promote Kefirah National theater groups, television stations, and university departments often promote messages that deny Torah, belittle tradition, or mock rabbanim—all supported by taxpayer funding. Why should Torah Jews be forced to fund institutions that teach their children that Torah is false and religion is backwards?
3. “Selective Equality”
Critics often demand: “Equal burden!” But that equality is rarely applied in the other direction.
- Secular students are not required to study Gemara or Torah.
- Dati Leumi institutions get full funding despite also refusing certain curricula.
- Arab citizens are often exempted from army service and receive enormous amounts of municipal and national funding, without the same scrutiny or public pressure to “integrate.”
The message is clear: “You must be like us—or you don’t count.”
Rav Shmuel Auerbach zt”l once said:
“They speak of equality. But what they want is to make us equally secular—not equally Jewish.” (Speech to Chinuch Atzmai educators, 2013)
4. The Torah’s View on Taxes
The Torah recognizes taxes when used for just purposes. In a Torah-run society, funds are collected to support:
- The Beis HaMikdash
- Kohanim and Levi’im
- Widows and orphans
- Torah scholars
- National infrastructure guided by halacha
But to use Jewish funds to promote spiritual destruction, while denying basic resources to Torah institutions—is the very opposite of what public policy should be.
As the Chazon Ish zt”l wrote:
“The government that uses its authority to undermine Torah loses its legitimacy in the eyes of those who fear Heaven.” (Letters, Vol. 1, Letter 18)
5. The Bigger Picture
Despite this, Charedim have never declared tax refusal or rebellion. They continue to pay, contribute, and build—with tears and tefillos—hoping for a better future.
They believe that true justice, kindness, and success can only come when national priorities align with Torah. Until then, they bear the burden of a state that takes from them—and uses it against them.
Final Thought
Yes, Charedim pay taxes. But the pain is not just in paying—it’s in seeing those taxes used to uproot Torah from the land it was given to uplift. And still, they remain loyal to the land, to the people, and to the truth. Because our hope is not in government budgets, but in the Geulah that will come when Hashem is once again the only authority.
Sources & Footnotes:
- Ministry of Education Budget Reports (2022–2024)
- Israel Democracy Institute: “Inequality in Public Education,” 2023
- Knesset Research and Information Center, Report on Higher Education Funding (2021)
- Chazon Ish, Igros, Vol. 1, Letter 18
- Rav Shmuel Auerbach, speech transcribed in Kovetz Divrei Emunah, 2013
- Government Budget Reports: Allocation to cultural/religious groups (2020–2024)