Aliya Summary: The laws mentioned above apply to fields and homes in
un-walled cities. Homes in walled cities, on the other hand, may only be
redeemed up to one year after the sale; otherwise they become the
permanent property of the buyer. Another exception to these rules is the
property allotted to the Levites, which are always redeemable. We are
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 from charging interest on a loan to a fellow Jew.
The
pasuk says that YOU SHOULD NOT LEND YOUR MONEY WITH INTEREST. The word
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.
One more step: Not only
do our actions have to be proper, and not only do we have to speak
pleasantly (including no dirty looks, raising of eyebrows, gestures,
etc.), but we also must have proper thoughts. To lend a poor person
money he needs, and even to behave properly, but to harbor a resentment
or a condescending attitude in our minds, is improper. It might even be
the worst part of the offense, since it is born of an incomplete belief
that G-d is the Boss and calls the shots.
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