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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."
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
