236. Interest from G‑d - Acts of Beauty

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Bringing Heaven Down to Earth

Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson

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Some people think that if they did something beautiful yesterday, or last week, or even several years ago, they’ve done their part and G‑d should continue paying them for it the rest of their life. It’s something like loaning money with interest—you lent it to someone last year, and you’re still making a profit off him today.

Problem is, the Torah prohibits charging interest—even from G‑d.

If you did good yesterday, do twice as good today.

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	Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson More articles... \|
	From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:

Posted: Feb 24, 2011

A question and a comment

Rabbi Freeman, how do you suppose we change over from an economy based in large part on profits-from-interest to one that is interest free? In other words, how is this Torah 'perek' (fundamental) to be brought about?

Now for the comment: On the other hand, if we did bad yesteday, rather than good, even up to today,-

how much easier will it be to do twice as good tomorrow.

One of the reasons, Rabbi Freeman, why some people don't do twice as good now as previously is not that they are trying to charge extra interest for what they did in the past (though you do make a very good point, Rabbi), but because-

it's so hard to 'top' yourself if you have already been very good.

Some of us did not even recognize what is good (around us, in us, and of us) until we already had the bad to which to compare it.

Posted By Thomas Karp, New Haven, Ct.

Posted: Feb 24, 2011

But Torah allows lifetime returns from investments

Doing good is an investment, not a loan. Therefore, lifetime benefits are allowed.

The prohibition applies only to a loan of money at interest, not to investing, renting, or other arrangements that have ongoing benefits, as long as they are not interest on a loan of money.

The Torah does not prohibit profiting from an investment for the rest of your life. If someone is trying to start a business and does not have the money, a partnership agreement where one person provides the money, the other does the work, and they split the money, is not prohibited.

On the other hand, it is prohibited to say (online or otherwise) that the Torah prohibits something that it does not.

Posted By Stephen Weinstein, Camarillo, CA

Posted: Feb 24, 2011

beatifully said

its right. i think its beautifully said. we are good once thinking its ok to do bad the next because of our previous deed.

Posted By zoya, cardiff

Posted: Feb 24, 2011

The Torah and me

Lately, I have not been good to the Torah and I do not feel so good about it. I have lit a candle-well yes-near the book and watched it and waited for some miraculous emotion to emerge frominside of me-then I would grab the Torah and start reading it-when I read "Interest from G-d" something happened to me and I begin to think back to a time when I helped a Temple out-I wonder if I was doing what you write about but you lead the way for others-for me to make the decision to reach for the Torah and make up with G-d who is always standing there waiting and caring enough to wait for me anyway and I'm so glad he is here- Thank you for being there too!! Rabbi Tzvi Freeman!! And thanks for reading this.

Posted By Judith L Witten, Brockton, Ma/USA

Posted: Jan 27, 2008

interest from G/d

shalom; i just want to let you know that im trying.and im enjoying myself while im at it.

sometimes i find myself helping someone weather its giving money, or just lending a helping hand, even sitting with someone thats depressed and just listening and i think to myself later that,yes; that was a mitzvah, now go do more tomorrow. be safe and blessed,

rabbi freeman, thank you for the extra light.

Posted By neal, murfreesboro, AR.

Acts of Beauty


	Powerful Beauty


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	Interest from G‑d


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	Unpraying


	Unrepenting


	Givers & Takers


	Humble Compassion


	Detoured Good


	Higher & Higher


	Beyond Reason


	Infinite Opportunity


	Giving Often

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