Aliya Summary: Moshe commands the Israelites to designate every
seventh year as a Shmitah (Sabbatical) Year. During this year, creditors
must forgive outstanding loans. The section then discusses the
obligation to give charity to the poor with a happy heart, and to lend
them money if necessary, even if the Shmitah Year is looming. A Jewish
slave must be freed after six years of service and must be given
generous severance gifts as he departs.
Because the
Torah prescribes a mandatory seven-year reset button on loans, it's
conceivable that as you get closer to the reset, people would stop
lending, knowing if they don't get repaid shortly, they'll lose their
money. Therefore, the Torah urges us to do whatever we can to help
others, and if the recipient refuses to accept donations, find other
ways to help, like loans, finding them jobs, and even a spouse!
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