[Avodah] bribes

[Yitzhak Grossman]

On Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:11:22 +0200
Simon Krysl <skrysl at gmail.com> wrote:

> Dear all,
> this is something I was asked a while ago - and keep wondering since:
> is there (and what is) an explicit halakhic basis to prohibit one from
> giving bribes, to public officials or else? The question of accepting
> bribes is clear (Shemot 23.8): but what about bribing? It is clear -
> of course - that a bribe to save live(s) is unproblematic: but I am
> thinking of less radical situations. All I can think of is Vayikra
> 19.14 (stumbling block before the blind) and, at most, dina demalkhuta
> dina. But can you think of anything else (more direct) or is the point
> that there is no such prohibition (for the above reason) at all?
> The situation would probably be different in Israel and in galut
> countries - as well as, perhaps, on the degree the person in question
> is a public official (the difference between bribing a judge, an
> academic official or member of a prize-giving committee, or an
> employee at a local grocery to put some avocados aside for me- in some
> countries). If anyone had any thoughts, I'd be most thankful.

The prohibition against giving a bribe is indeed lifne iver; this is an
explicit SA (HM 9:1).  See Pis'he Teshuvah there (#1 and #3) for more
information related to your questions.

Yitzhak
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