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The Torah relates to loans as an act of chesed and demands of all who can to lend to those in need, as part of a Jewish life, which is based on charity and justice. True, it is permitted and even recommended for the lender to receive guarantees to ensure repayment of the loan. Someone who lends to someone who is capable of providing guarantors and a lien on property and does not do so, puts his money in a precarious situation.
There is another possibility, which can be a great idea to help someone who needs money but has financial opportunity. He can invest in the latter’s business venture. However, he runs the risk of losing money in the process. Therefore, the greatest chesed is to lend money to one who does not have a livelihood so that he can open a business to support his family. To adapt the famous saying: Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; help start a fishing business, you can help him for a lifetime. The Rambam also put the act of lending money to someone so that he will not need hand-outs at the top of his ladder of chesed (Matnot Ani’im 10:7).
For many reasons, some stemming from very difficult financial times, the Rabbis allowed using a heter iska (a document that turns what might have been a loan into a permitted hybrid between a loan and an investment). We find this already in the writings of the Terumat Hadeshen (I:302), one of Europe’s most influential poskim some 600 years ago. However, there are two major conditions for using a heter iska: 1. The heter iska works for a loan done for an investment when the endeavor has the potential to earn profits. Using a heter iska for a loan to finance standard family upkeep is halachically highly suspect. 2. The "interest" the "borrower" pays to exempt himself from an oath about the success of the investment must be realistic, i.e., it is plausible that the investment could have gone well enough to justify it. If it is in excess of the realistic amount, the iska agreement is invalid, the money given/taken is in violation of the prohibition of ribbit, and beit din can deny the lender’s claim to the money.
We have had cases in the batei din of Eretz Hemdah-Gazit in which we have disqualified heterei iska on these grounds. We mention that the Knesset passed legislation limiting the rate of interest in any loan. We praise that step, which protects the weak from the powerful, which is correct in a Jewish state. (We would have been happier if the law had been more in line with Halacha in other ways.)
Let us pray that the number of those in need of tzedaka will decrease and the number of people happy to help those in need will increase. May they be blessed with the Torah’s blessing for generous people: "… so that Hashem will bless you in all that you do in the Land where you are going to inherit it," and the great psalmist’s blessing, "Goodness and grace shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of Hashem for many long years."
Ki Tetze FALSE MORALITY IS IMMORALITY
Why R. Yosef Blau & American Jewish Liberals' Critique Misses the Mark
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
