236. Interest from G‑d

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.

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.

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

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.

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.