Interest from G‑d

HaShem has invested in me today. He has created this day and all that comes with it, including me. What will I offer Him in return? What good can I make of the gift I have received? What opportunity to be of service awaits me? He has given me everything? He owes me nothing. I owe Him everything? Shouldn't it be my best? Every opportunity to perform a mitzvah is merely an opportunity to say thank you! And thanks to you rabbi for this opportunity to reflect on this! Reply

Is it true that a person who does a lot of good in this world is most likely to find him/herself in a better after-life, other than one other person who is less of a do-gooder? We believe that our Almighty Father is loving and will not treat a less mitzvah-performer differently to one who is more extreme in what he/she does, namely that we all have a place for receiving kindness from a loving G-d. So why does this comments column receive so much good advice, considertng that our afterlives are most likely to be the same?

Surely the answer to this question is not related to the after-life, but is much more concerned in the ethics of our behavior on this planet and that we should not expect that by being good (or bad) we can get some special reward (or punishment) elsewhere. Ethical behavior here on earth has its own reward. . Reply

Interest From G-d I have read all the comments. Each interpreted this Daily Dose, according to their own, personal stand in life. Here goes mine, and interpreting it literally: If you are looking to gain a great interest for the principal you intend to "help," I suggest that you do not lend it to the poor. Because the poor cannot pay extra towards the principal. I believe that is why G-d said not to charge interest. But of course, the majority is thinking of slavery. If I lend to the poor they will not be able to pay, therefore, sooner of later they will end up slaving for me. Or else their credit will be destroyed. And they would have no other place to go or do business. What do you think? Better? This kind of business is what is bringing down all business, and destroying most people today. We need to change our way of thinking, according to G-d's, be blessed, greatest teachings of love and compassion for one another. Reply

Without Measure I read the other comments and realized I didn't see what others saw - perhaps I read it at a far simpler level which I could summarize as "don't rest on your laurels." Just because I did a mitzvah yesterday does not mean I can blow off an opportunity to do one today, two if I'm blessed with the opportunity to do another one ... and I may have to diligently seek that opportunity.

It seems to me that this Daily Dose was a metaphor. The use of money and interest, terms that most people could instantly grasp because of buying a house, or car, paying off credit cards or loans, etc., is not the point of this Daily Dose -after all the more one pays towards principal, the interest charged decreases accordingly. Paying extra towards the principal is a huge benefit for the borrower - the lender also receives benefit because his investment is paid and an obligation has been satisfied.


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Spiritual Economics 101 In the spiritual world the reward is the quality of being able to give and receive no payback. That's the way that system works - everybody get the opportunity to give to others to give contentment to the Creator. Reply

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. Reply

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. Reply

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. Reply

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. Reply

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. Reply