#358 Receiving financial benefits to move to Israel from non Jewish organizations
There are some religious Christians who are very supportive of Jews living in Israel, As such they offer financial benefits to move there. For example they will pay for ones lift to Israel. Is it permissible to accept money from them?
Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 254: 1) rules that in principle, one should not accept tzedoko from a Gentile, (there are several exceptions to this halocho and each one should be valued on their own merit) the reasons given by the Poskim (ibid.) is that it causes desecration of Hashem’s name or it creates misplaced mitzvohs (Baba Basrah 10b, quoting Yeshayahu 27: 11: "When its branches dry out"). Based on those tenets, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit"a opinion is that even if there are no strings attached to the bequest, one should avoid receiving their help when settling in Israel.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Answered by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: August 16, 2013