Protest of Ha'Edah Ha'Charedit against the Education Tax of the Jewish Municipality during the British Mandate - ...

Protest of Ha'Edah Ha'Charedit against the Education Tax of the Jewish Municipality during the British Mandate - Signatures of all the Contemporary Rabbis of Ha'Edah Ha'Charedit, Perushim and Hassidim - Historical Item
One of the principles of Ha'Edah Ha'Charedit is separation from the non-religious community and complete autonomy in the field of education and in all matters of the Haredi community.
Those days, when the British ruled the country, the general non-religious community was not given autonomy. It did not have even municipal autonomy since the mayor of Jerusalem was an Arab. The change occurred in the middle of the 1930's, when the leadership of the town was transferred to the Jews, who had become the majority. Now, the non-religious community had certain powers such as the power to collect taxes.
In those years, the Jerusalem municipality decided to impose an education tax on all citizens of the town in order to support its educational institutions.

As direct continuation of the worldview of the founders of Ha'Edah Ha'Charedit, its rabbis published a letter that reflects, for the first time, the objection to any connection to the Jewish authorities.
Thus, the following principle was applied: taxes should not be paid to the municipality (and later to the State) and payments should not be received by it. The rabbis strictly forbade to pay the education tax and to use the money for educational institutions.

Before us is this original, historical letter, a first of its kind, with the original signatures of all the rabbis of Ha'Edah Ha'Charedit - Perushim and Hassidim - headed by Rabbi Dushinski.
From the letter: "we have hear a rumor … that the municipality intends to impose an education tax on the Jews of Jerusalem … and since, unfortunately, the educational institutions of Jerusalem are such that educate their students to deny religious principles … it is forbidden to participate in such an educational fund … and it is forbidden to enjoy its money …"
It is interesting to note that despite the objection of Ha'Edah Ha'Charedit to the Jewish autonomy, tit did not object to the British rule. They treat the British government with respect and note that "we must warn the government, which supports freedom of religion and show it how this decree forces us to violate our religion with each and every payment…"

The letter is hand-signed by: Rabbi Yosef Zvi Dushinski, Rabbi Zelig Reuven Bengis, Rabbi Pinchas Epstein, Rabbi David Ha'Levi Jungreis, Rabbi Yerucham Fischel Bernstein, Rabbi Naftali Zvi Shmerler, Rabbi Yisrael Ze'ev Mintzberg and Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchak Ha'Levi Reisman.

27.5x21 cm.
Condition: Good.