Dear Rabbi,
A friend of mine who is known to burn money and not repay loans is continuously asking me for a loan.
I have heard that one should always give a loan when asked. Should I be giving him a loan?
Answer:
In Judaism, it is considered a great deed to give a loan, even to a rich person. In fact, it is considered to be greater than giving charity, for it does not make the person receiving feel needy and worthless, as if begging for survival.
Not giving a loan to a poor person when one has the available funds to do so is frowned upon in Jewish law. In the words of Maimonides, in his magnum opus on Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah:
The verse has strong words for one who does not lend money to a poor person (Deuteronomy 15:9), “Beware lest there be a defiant thought in your heart… and you look badly upon your poor brother and you not give him.”1
In fact the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, encouraged every community to establish at least one free loan organization. The Rebbe went so far as to encourage young students to set aside some of their allowance for a free loan society so that each class could have its own organization that would loan money.2
Just like there is strong language when it comes to giving loans, Jewish law also uses strong words for those who take loans without the means or the intention to repay them. Maimonides writes:
It is forbidden for a borrower to take a loan and use it when it is unnecessary, and lose it, leaving the creditor without a source to collect the debt. This applies even if the creditor is very wealthy. A person who acts this way is wicked, as Psalms says (37:21), “A wicked man borrows and does not pay.” Our sages commanded (Ethics of our Fathers 2:12), “Treat money belonging to your friend as dearly as your own.”3
The Code of Jewish Law adds, “If one is known to be such a person, it is best not to give a loan at all.”4
However, how can you avoid offending your friend in refusing his loan?
You should try your best to avoid him and not to lie to him by saying that you don’t have any money for him. If he continues to nudge you, you should say that at this time you have no money available. Being sensitive with ones words is very important when dealing with someone in need, no matter how crooked his or her dealings are.5
In my case, I am being repaid by G-d? What a pathetic story....I'm nor sure if I follow or believe, but that's ok In 1 case, who would expect G-d to repay? G-d has already given measure by allowing us a chance to repent and remedy from the garden blunders through all of our generations. Should anything we do e v e r measure up? Maybe not Bela, but to be contrite and have a willing spirit is a memory that no helped person will ever be able to forget for the rest of their life. Sometimes there is Loshon Hara, sometimes there isn't a victim, but someone held back the key that unlocked the door that never belonged to them (a stolen key). All I know is that things are rarely how we observe them. If we only knew what we were observing and looking at we would scream: others would be utterly silent and action the AX of Consequence. Hmm....we shall see what Hashem says and does at that final curtain call, I will be in suspense at how the plots will work out til then: in this fantastic drama of thrilling suspense! I know tears will fall; many of which will be tears of joy, sorrow & redemption.
#Vindication!