When did Jewish men have to pay the temple tax?

Answer 1

Each year, every adult male Israelite gave an obligatory donation of one-half shekel to the Tabernacle (Exodus ch.30); and later, to the Temple (Mishna, tractate Shekalim). This money was customarily given during Adar (early Spring). It paid for the sacrifices, Temple upkeep, and related costs.

The purchasing power in those days of 1/2 shekel was enough to support a small family for about four days.

Answer 2

In a number of countries, both Christian and Muslim, extra taxes were placed on members of minority religions. Some of these taxes could be quite harsh and punitive, and were meant to remind the minority that they were in the "wrong" religion. In the case of the Jews, this was especially true in countries dominated by the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches. Anger at the Jews for not having accepted Jesus often led to laws that restricted where Jews could live, what occupations they could have, and how much property they could own. This was exacerbated by the belief, often a myth, that Jews were all wealthy and could easily contribute more to rulers of the countries in which they lived. (Since money-lending was one of the only occupations Jews were permitted to engage in, they were hated by the public, and they were also seen as a good source of revenue by the rulers.)

The custom of a "Jewish Tax" went back to ancient Rome; after the second temple was destroyed, the Roman emperor Vespasian levied special taxes on the Jews. This custom would be continued by various popes, and before the Jews were expelled from England in 1290, kings would raise needed funds by levying special taxes on the Jews. Special taxes directed only at the Jews were also levied by various Russian rulers, and of course, by Adolph Hitler.

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The reasons for the taxes varied. In some of the German states in the late 1600s and the 1700s the rulers knew perfectly well that most Jews in Eastern and Central Europe were poor. Some were willing to let rich Jews reside in their countries and cities provided that they paid for this and were not followed by impoverished Jews ... So, for example, in 1750 King Frederick II of Prussia ordered all Jews residing in major cities to pay a residence tax of 100 thalers a year (per household). At the time that was a staggeringly high figure, about equivalent to one year's rent for a good, spacious town-house in a very upscale location. Obviously, it was also a crude, discriminatory money-spinner.

Answer 3

Jews have never been exempt from paying taxes. In many places and times, they had to pay more taxes than anyone else.

A very few examples:

• The "Fiscus Judaicus" tax levied by the Romans against the Jews, beginning in the 1st century CE.
• The "Imperial" tax levied throughout Europe against the Jews, beginning in 1241 CE.
• The Opferfennig tax levied against the Jews, begun in 1342 by Emperor Louis IV.
• The Leibzoll, a toll imposed upon the Jews in most European states throughout the Middle Ages, up to the beginning of the nineteenth century.

All of the above taxes were collected from Jews only and were in addition to whatever taxes applied to the general population. Very many other examples could also be given.