Avram> So this is another example of illegal activity,
> What we are debating is the idea of taking benefits that one is legally entitled to, but you feel is avoidable
good, so we have a lot we agree on. I presume you include all cases where someone works for cash, etc. As you see from the shaila I posted, not everyone is cler on this. In the related discussion, I saw someone mentioning that apparently IRS would not take Israeli yeshiva letter as a proof of income in Israel, but would take from any other business. Apparently, this is based on their experience ..
But let’s analyze the remaining disagreements. Here are some examples, let me know what you think:
1) cases where legal requirements are light and avoidable. I think this would be when recipient of aid is required/expected to look for a job. I don’t know whether they ask, but it might be possible to show 5 letters you mailed last week to satisfy inspectors. I don’t think one needs a BA to get a job, I am sure anyone capable of learning a blatt of gemora can do some productive job.
2) where legal requirements are complicated and rarely enforced. This is what Trump’s accountant just pleaded to – T was “donating” money to his einekle school in lieu of tuition, if I understand it correctly. Another would be when school does not pay salary and teachers do not pay tuition. Not saying it is wrong, but it is not clear for a layman whether this is ok also.
3) where there are no legal requirements, like recent food giveaways. I don’t really know what other benefits are given that do not expect people to look for a job.
in my views, somewhere down the list, it may be OK to take, especially if you have a halachic authority that overrides the references I gave above (nobody brought those to the contrary so far, I’d love to see those), but surely a baal middos should avoid all. Again, presuming he is not actually in need.