Water Access: A Halakhic Argument with Rabbi David Polsky

Many Americans lack access to affordable drinking water. Before the pandemic, Detroit residents unable to afford the exorbitant rates--in some cases 10% of their income--even had their water shut off. Legislation is being advanced in Michigan state legislature to ban future shutoffs and to ensure that Michigan residents don't have to pay more than 3% of their income on their water bills. This shiur will analyze these issues from the perspective of the Talmud and other classical Halakhic sources. Additionally, we use the writings of Rabbi Yosef Rosen (the "Rogotchover Gaon") to explore the notion that water is not something that can really be bought or sold.