View source for Abiding by Civilian Law

In general, there is a halachic principle called dina d'malkuta dina, which means that Halacha demands obedience to the laws made by civil authorities. However, it's important to note that this principle is limited and is discussed at length by the modern day Rabbinic authorities.<ref>[http://www.workplacehalacha.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Chapter-23-Dina-DeMalchusa.pdf See article by Rabbi Ari Wasserman]</ref>
==Source==

#Many assume that dina d'malchusa is binding from the Torah.<ref>Rashi Gittin 9b s.v. “chutz,” Meiri Nedarim 28a. Vilna Gaon C.M. 369:34</ref> Some say dina d'malchusa is Rabbinic in nature<ref>Beis Shmuel C.M. 28:3</ref>
#The Gemara says Dina D'Malchusa Dina ("the law of the land is the law").<ref>Baba Kama 113a, Nedarim 28a, Gittin 10b, Bava Basra 54b. The principle of dina di'alchusa dina is accepted as the halacha (Ritva Nedarim 28a says that there's no opinion in the Gemara that argues with it). Rambam Hilchot Gezelot 5:11 and Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 369:6 codify this principle as halacha regarding the taxes of the government. Shulchan Aruch C.M. 104:2 quotes this with regards to paying debts. </ref> 
##Some explain this is a social contract.<ref>Rambam Hilchot Gezelah Vaveidah 5:18 and Rashbam Bava Basra 54b s.v. "Viahamar Shmuel" writes that the taxes and laws of the king are binding because the people accept it upon themselves. The Terumas HaDeshen 341 notes that this is true even if you voted against this government. Legislation is part of the way government runs and by living in the country, you establish that you accept its laws. Avnei Nezer YD 312:12 elaborates on this idea and explains that it is based on the phrase על ממלכתו הוא ובניו בקרב ישראל (Devarim 17:20) that the authority of a king derives from the consent of his people. An expression of how dina d'malchusa is based on the people is that the people of that country accept to use the coins of that king, and the Rambam says this shows their acceptance of the king. (Gra C.M. 369:9). </ref>
##Others explain that the land belongs to the king.<ref>Ran Nedarim 28a s.v. "Bamoches" says because the land belongs to the king, he can make the laws, and if you don't abide he can kick you out of his land. Shitah Mekubetzes Nedarim 28a explains that this is just like all property owners who can insist on standards on their property. Chatam Sofer 1:44 writes that the Ran is only referring to taxes that are against the will of the people, but laws related to custom and manners even the Ran agrees that these are binding because the people agree to the king's dominion. [http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/kitveyet/shana/ariel2-1.htm Rav Yakov Arieli] extends the Chatom Sofer to any taxes that are for the benefit of the people such as money spent on highways and bridges.</ref>
##Others explain that the king has dominion over all property in the country.<ref>Rabbenu Yona (Aliyot of Rabbenu Yona Bava Basra 54b s.v. "Umi Amar") says this works like hefker beis din hefker, that the king has dominion over all property. </ref>
##Others explain that the Torah has a concept of a king, and that only makes sense if we must follow his laws.<ref>Rav Asher Weiss (Shut Minchas Asher 2:121). Mabit (Kiryat Sefer Gezela 5:14). Meiri (Nedarim 28a) and the Vilna Gaon (C.M. 369:34) say that this is derived from the laws of a king derived from Sefer Shmuel Alef Perek 8.</ref>
#Dina D'Malchusa is determined based on how a law is enforced, not how it is written on the books<ref>Rav Asher Weiss (Shut Michas Asher 2:123) with regards to building a succah against the zoning laws that if the police don't enforce them, it is not a violation of dina d'malchusa. [http://www.workplacehalacha.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Chapter-23-Dina-DeMalchusa.pdf Article by Rabbi Ari Wasserman] quoting from Rav Pinchas Scheinberg with regards to speeding. Speeding is forbidden under dina d'malchusa, but the definition of speeding is dependent on how it is enforced, not the posted speed limit. Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz quotes both sides of this discussion at 8:30 in this shiur <nowiki>https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/781443/rabbi-aryeh-lebowitz/ten-minute-halacha-obeying-traffic-laws/</nowiki></ref>
#Dina D'Malchusa is subject to interpretation based on logic.<ref>Rav Asher Weiss (Shut Michas Asher 2:123) says that late at night one can run a red light when you can clearly see that there is nobody coming and nobody looking who may learn from your behavior as the law didn't intend to prohibit this.</ref>

==To Who Does it Apply==

#Dina d'malchusa dina applies to all appointed officials who are keeping to the local laws, not just the king.<ref>Shut Rashba 1:637</ref>
#Some say Dina D'malchusa doesn't apply when there is an interaction between two Jews.<ref>Rav Asher Weiss (Shut Minchas Asher 2:121:4:9) quotes the Chazon Ish who holds like Rabbenu Yonah Bava Batra 54 that dina d'malchusa is only between a Jew and a non-Jew</ref> Others argue that it applies between all people.<ref>Rav Asher Weiss (Shut Minchas Asher 2:121:4:9) quoting Rama C.M. 369 </ref>

==To Which Laws Does it Apply==

#There is a discussion as to which laws one is obligated to follow the dina d'malchusa:
##Some say that dina d'malchusa dina only applies to laws that benefit the king directly.<ref>Shulchan Aruch C.M. 68:1. Yachava Daat 4:65 quotes that the Rif, Rambam, Maggid Mishna, Baal Hatrumot, and Maharik agree with this distinction, while the Ramban, Meiri, and Ran disagree. These opinions depend on the two answers of the gemara in Gittin 10b. Rashba responsa 6:254 agrees with the Rambam, but see Yachava Daat where he quotes 4 other places that the Rashba discusses this topic and in 3 of them agrees with the Ramban.</ref> Others disagree.<ref>Rama C.M. 68:1 cited by Yachava Daat 4:65</ref>
##Some say that dina d'malchusa dina only applies to laws related directly to the land (i.e. real estate).<ref>Rama C.M. 369:8. Rav Asher Weiss (Shut Minchas Asher 2:121:4:3) suggests that this works nicely with the opinion of the Ran quoted above that dina d'malchusa works because the land belongs to the king. However, according to the Rashbam quoted above that dina d'malchusa is a social contract, one could argue that there is no reason to distinguish between laws related to the land and other laws. However, he suggests that even according to the Ran, you don't have to distinguish as since the land belongs to him, he makes the rules</ref>
##Some say that dina d'malchusa dina applies to all financial matters<ref>Ra’aviah brought in Beis Yosef C.M. 369</ref>
##Some say that dina d'malchusa dina applies to government legislation, but not to rulings of the secular court.<ref>Sema 369:21 trying to resolve a contradiction between Rama C.M. 369:8 where he says dina d'malchusa applies across the board and 369:11 where he limits it to things which are beneficial for the king or for the good of the people, but not about going to secular court. Rashba 6:254 writes that dina d'malchusa only applies to laws that make sense for the entire kingdom and not a new law that the king enacted. Yachava Daat 4:65 quotes this from the Meiri b"k 113b. Yachava Daat quotes the Chida (Tov Ayin 17:4) who compares this opinion of the Rashba and Meiri to the concept of Rav Yakov Yisrael (cited by Bet Yosef CM 369) that there's no dina d'malchuta on something that the king doesn't care about.</ref>
##Some say that dina d'malchusa dina applies to government legislation and rulings of the secular court as long as they are for the benefit of society, but personal matters are not under the jurisdiction of dina d'malchusa.<ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe C.M. 2:62) quotes the Sema's explanation and disagrees discussing bankruptcy laws. See Rav Asher Weiss (Parashas Chukas, B’inyan Dina D’malchusa Dina. Shut Minchas Asher 2:121:4:4) where he applies dina d'malchusa to cases such as traffic laws, sanitation laws, and mandatory inoculation.</ref>
#Dina D'malchusa is ineffective in causing an Asmachta to be binding.<ref>Emek Hamishpat 1:31:18 citing Maharsham in Mishpat Shalom 207:15</ref>
#We do not say Dina D'Malchusa when it contradicts the laws of the Torah.<ref>Shach C.M. 73:39. Yachava Daat 4:65 also quotes this from the Meiri b"k 113b, Ramban quoting the Raavad, Levush 369:11, and Maharimat 1:7. Rav Asher Weiss (Minchas Asher 2:122) explains that this means we don't follow the dina d'malchusa when it contradicts with Torah values. Chazon Ish C.M. Likutim 16:1 questions this as all cases are against Torah Law. Teshuva MiAhava 1:117 discusses a case when there is a law that only certain rabbis can officiate at weddings and a different rabbi officiates. He concludes that the marriage is binding, but he did the wrong thing as dina d'malchusa is binding. Similarly, Rav Asher Weiss (Shut Michas Asher 2:123) discusses building a succah on your property when it is against zoning laws. He says although you have fulfilled your mitzvah of succah, you violated dina d'malchusa unless this is something the police know about and don't enforce.</ref>

==Where Does it Apply==

#Dina d'malchuta dina applies to democracies such as the United States.<ref>Halachos of Other People's Money pg. 34. see note 71 where he quotes from Rav Yosef Eliyahu Henkin (Writings of Rav Yosef Eliyahu Henkin 96:8), Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Maadanei Eretz 20:8), Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe CM 2:62), Shevet Halevi 2:58. This makes sense with the Rashbam and Rambam that dina d'malchusa is a social contract. One could argue that according to the Ran that the reason for dina d'malchusa is that the king owns the land, this shouldn't apply to a democracy. However, Pe’as Sadecha (165) writes that even according to the Ran, dina d’malchusa dina applies because in a democracy the country belongs to the people, and their elected representatives have the same power as a king to legislate.  </ref>
#Some say that dina d'malchusa doesn't apply in Israel. However, most authorities rule that it does apply.<ref>Ran Nedarim 28a s.v. Bamoches writes that Dina Dmalchusa is based on the fact that the king owns the land and everyone has to abide by his law. However, in Israel where Hashem gave the land to the Jewish people, there is no Dina Dmalchuta. This is quoted in Darkei Moshe CM 369:3 and Gra 369:35. Emek Hamishpat 1:31:18 writes that in his opinion we follow the Ran. The Chasam Sofer C.M. 44 says that according to the Rashbam, dina d'malchusa still applies. The Rambam (Hilchos Gezeilah 5:11), Tur and Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 369:6) all rule against the Ran. This is also the opinion of Rav Asher Weiss (Parashas Chukas, B’inyan Dina D’malchusa Dina. Shut Minchas Asher 2:121).</ref>

==Paying Taxes==
# There is an obligation to pay a standardized tax.<ref>Mordechai, Gittin, Perek Hameivi Get 325; Rambam Hilchot Gezela 5:12, Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 369:7. Meiri Baba Kama 113b applies to a progressive tax system, even if that tax is not in keeping with halachic methods. See Mishneh Halachot 12:445 who is of the opinion that avoiding paying taxes is only considered hafkat halvato, not paying up a loan, and not stealing.</ref>
# There is no obligation to pay unfair taxes. An unfair tax is defined as a tax that is inconsistent, as it varied subjectively from person to person.<ref> Shulchan Aruch C.M. 369:6. Rama adds that a tax that is unique for Jews is considered a legitimate tax. </ref>
# One who does not pay taxes violates a Torah commandment of “lo tigzol” (Vayikra 19:13), as one is stealing from the government.<ref> Shulchan Aruch C.M. 369:6. Rabbi Menashe Klein writes that tax evasion is equivalent to hafkaat halvaa, withholding payment for debt, which is only prohibited in case of chillul hashem (Mishneh Halachot, Chelek 12, Siman 445). </ref>
# One who violates tax laws of a country with a legitimate system of taxes is obligated to pay the resulting fines.<ref>	Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 369:7; Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 4:1, Hilchos Gezeilah 5:12 </ref>
# A Jew is permitted to work a tax agency and turn in Jews found guilty.<ref> Shevet Halevi, Chelek 2, Siman 18 </ref>
# It is prohibited to avoid paying taxes in a democracy such as the United States.<ref> Shu"t Igrot Moshe CM 2:29, Shu"t Shevet Halevi 2:58, [https://www.torahweb.org/torah/special/2005/rsch_taxes.html Rav Hershel Schachter]. see there where Rav Schachter writes that taxes nowadays would not only be binding because of dina dimalchuta dina. Paying taxes is also your obligation to the partnership because taxes are used to provide services to the citizens (fire, police, military, garbage, mail etc). All the people of the city, state, country have to contribute to provide for that. Thus, one who withholds his taxes is not only taking from the government. He is taking from the other citizens, which inevitably includes other Jews. </ref>
# According to some poskim, patronizing a Jewish merchant who cheats on his taxes violates the biblical prohibition of lifnei iver.<ref> [https://www.jlaw.com/Commentary/payingtaxes.html Eli Clark] quoted from Rav Hershel Schachter </ref>

==Examples==
===Bankrupcy===
#If a person or company went bankrupt they do not have an enduring obligation to pay off their debt because bankruptcy laws are established and reasonable laws of the government.<ref>Igrot Moshe CM 2:62, Halachos of Other People’s Money p. 34 fnt. 71. Rav Moshe explains that since the bankruptcy laws are for the betterment of society which the Rama 369:8 writes is binding.</ref>
===Lost Objects===
#If there’s a civil law to hand in a lost object that is found to a government official one must oblige because of Dina Dmalchuta Dina.<ref>Rama 259:7, Pitchei Choshen Aveidah 2:22</ref> See [https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/lost_property common law on Cornell.edu].
===Penalties and Contract Law===
#Some write that if a person has a contract with a penalty that is an asmachta even though it is binding in a secular court dina dmalchuta doesn’t make it binding between two Jews.<ref>Emek Mishpat v. 1 p. 260 writes that one should not assume that dina dmalchuta obligates a person to pay a contractual penalty. He explains that they are an asmachta and dina dmalchuta doesn't apply in Israel (Ran Nedarim 28a, Darkei Moshe 369:3, Gra 369:35). Also, he adds that Mishpat Shalom 207:15 writes that dina dmaclhuta doesn't make an asmachta binding. Also, Chazon Ish CM likkutim 16:11 writes that dina dmalchuta isn't applicable for a contractual penalty since dina dmalchuta doesn’t apply between two Jews.</ref>
===Inheritance===
# Inheritance does not follow dina d'malchuta dina and a person must follow Torah law. If the children agree to relinquish their rights to the inheritance they would receive according to the Torah and redistribute the estate as they want they can do so.<ref>Yachava Daat 4:65 quoting Maharashdam EH 131, Chida (Tov Ayin 17:4), and Divrei Rivot 122. The reason that dina d'malchut doesn't apply to inheritance is because (1) it contradicts Torah law, (2) it doesn't impact the king at all, (3) it is a law of the secular courts and forced throughout the kingdom.</ref>
===Loans and Inflation===
# If the government has a law that loans are repaid with the same currency in a one to one ratio even if there is inflation the halacha follows the civil law for this.<ref>Rama C.M. 74:7, Shach CM 74:28 holds that the main opinion is that the loans are repaid according to the government laws. He quotes this from Maharam Alshich 79 and Shiltei Giborim.</ref> For example, if someone borrowed $1000 and there was major inflation and that money is now worth $500 in terms of purchasing power, the loan is nonetheless repaid with $1000 and not $2000. It would be forbidden to charge more to repay for the inflation because that would be considered interest.<ref>Igrot Moshe YD 2:114</ref>

==Stealing from the Government==

#see [[Being Careful With Other People's Money#Stealing_from_the_Government|Stealing from the government]]

==See Also==
[[Secular Court]]
==Sources==
<references />