Previously we discussed the prohibition against ribbis devarim (providing a non-monetary benefit to the lender), and we’ve explained that this makes it forbidden for the borrower to thank the lender. We also mentioned that this does not apply to someone who generally says thank you to everyone for everything. For example, let’s say Sara went to one neighbor and asked to borrow a dozen eggs. The neighbor was unable to lend them to her, and Sara replied, “Thank you very much anyway.” She then continued on to the next neighbor and received a dozen eggs. She may say thank you now, despite the prohibition against thanking a lender, because the fact that she said thank you to the first neighbor even though that neighbor was unable to lend her the eggs demonstrates that this is simply her way of being polite.

This rule applies not only to thank-you’s; it’s also a general rule regarding ribbis. Although one may not benefit his lender in any way, even non-monetarily, this is only referring to a benefit that is extended because of the loan. As long as the borrower has benefited the lender in this way in the past, or he would benefit the lender in this manner regardless of the loan, there is no prohibition. 

There are several exceptions to this rule. The borrower may not extend a public benefit to his lender, even if it is something he would have done anyway. An example would be giving an apartment to the lender or their guests for a simcha. This is problematic because an apartment is a public, well-known item and giving it looks like ribbis. Even if the lender (or their spouse) asks to borrow an apartment on behalf of their guests, that would still be a problem, because the lender is the halachic borrower here. However, if the guest approaches the borrower and independently asks for the apartment for Shabbos, that would be okay, because the lender isn’t involved.

Another example of the borrower extending a public benefit to the lender is lending a car to him. Even if they are good friends, and they would have lent a car to each other in the past, it would be prohibited for the duration of the loan.

We will address the other exceptions in the following weeks.