Question: Can you explain to me why it is forbidden to inform on another Jew to the government when they have committed something wrong? If I have nothing to gain from the other person being punished, then why is that bad, especially if that is the only way to get these people to stop their behavior?

Answer: Thank you for your interesting question. The primary reason this is not allowed is because in previous times, informing on someone would often result in their torture and death, and therefore the informer had the status of a Rodef – who may be killed to prevent him from doing so. For more information, here is an excellent article written by Rabbi Michael Broyde on this topic.

Take care,
Rabbi Aaron Tendler