128 Selected Reform Responsa
verted into money) may be used. As a matter of fact, the application of the Temple law to the synagogue was made before Isserles (i.e., before the sixteenth century) by Rabbenu Yeruchem(of Provence, fourteenth century). In his Toldoth Adam V’Chava(Section Chavah, Path 23, part 1), he says that“the hire,” etc., may not be used for a Sefer Torah or for synagogue lights, etc. But he also says(in reference to Temple times) that if a man gave money and she bought an animal, it would be permitted on the altar(because she did not give the object that she received).
So as far as the law is concerned, it is clear that as long as the man you refer to does not give the actual money(coins or gift) which changed hands in the criminal transaction, it is not prohibited by the halakhah.
However, our present concern is not restricted to the letter of the law, even though it does have weight with us. We are concerned also with the moral effect upon the community if we accept such a gift. This is a delicate matter and must be carefully weighed. In my judgment you should accept the gift, because it is his obligation(a mitzvah) to support the synagogue and we have no right to prevent a sinner from performing a righteous act. For example, it is a mitzvah incumbent upon a Cohen to bless the people(in the duchan). But suppose a Cohen has committed a grievous sin, should we allow him to bless the people? To which Maimonides says(Hilchoth Tefilla XV, 6) that he must perform the mitzvah. He says:“We may not tell a man to add to his sin by neglecting a mitzvah.”
So it is in this case. He, as a Jew , has the duty to support the synagogue according to his means. We have no right to prevent him from doing his duty.
But as to putting up a plaque honoring him, that should not be done. Of course, in general, Jewish tradition favors recording and publicizing the names of donors in order to encourage other donors and also in order to prevent a specific gift-object being used or melted down for another purpose.(See Isserles , Yoreh Yeah 249:13, and the whole discussion in Recent Reform Responsa, p. 203) Nevertheless, the putting up of a plaque would also be honoring him as a person, and such a man is not one whom the synagogue“delighteth to honor.”
Yet even in this case, something constructive can be done. If he wishes to honor his parents or some other close relative, a plaque can be put up in their name and his name included as the