Aliya Summary: All the laws mentioned above apply to fields and homes
in un-walled cities. Homes in walled cities, on the other hand, may be
redeemed for their full value for up to one year after the sale. If not
redeemed within the year, they become the permanent property of the
buyer, and they are not released by the Jubilee. Another exception to
these rules is the property allotted to the Levites. The homes and
fields in the forty-eight Levite cities are always redeemable -- from
the moment of purchase until the Jubilee year, when in any event they
revert to their owners. We are then commanded to assist our brethren by
coming to their aid before they become financially ruined and dependent
on the help of others. We are also forbidden to charge interest on a
loan to a fellow Jew.
The pasuk says that one should
not lend money and charge interest. The word used here is "B'neshech",
which also means "with a bite". A Jew who lends money to his fellow
should do it with an open heart and a pleasant disposition, and not be
snappy or curt with the recipient. The Torah repeatedly shows us the
compassion that G-d has for the down-trodden. He wants us to emulate
those feelings. Giving is good. Helping others is good. But it must be
with a pleasantness that will not hurt the feelings of the already
disadvantaged.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment