26-More on Leniencies Permitting a Loan
We discussed the three primary leniencies that will permit a loan of goods despite the chance of the item’s rising in price. It’s advisable to understand how these leniencies work, especially since according to some poskim, some of them work only if the parties involved understand the rationale behind them. The first leniency, as we […]
25-Borrowing Items That Rise in Price
We’ve learned about the prohibition of se’a bese’a that precludes lending items whose value may rise. This scenario has the potential for a ribbis issue in the event the item is returned without deducting the added value. We also explained that because of this prohibition, one may not borrow or lend a foreign currency unless […]
24-More on Foreign Currency Loans
Last week, we explained that in order to permit a foreign currency loan the borrower needs to own a bit of the currency that he’s borrowing. A Yid suffering from financial difficulties once approached the late Rabbi Chaim Greineman (the nephew of the Chazon Ish) and begged him for help. He told Rav Chaim that […]
23-Lending in Foreign Currency in accordance with Halacha
Last week we raised the issue of lending in foreign currency. This is particularly relevant to those of us living in Eretz Yisrael who may occasionally lend or borrow in dollars or other currencies. We explained that a loan in a foreign currency is halachically forbidden and can result in losses for the lender if […]
22-The Prohibition of Se’a Bese’a
Last week, we began discussing the prohibition against lending items that may rise in value. The term Chazal give in describing this prohibition is se’a bese’a, meaning “a measure for a measure,” i.e., lending a certain measure of grain and expecting to receive the same measure back, despite the rise in value. This prohibition is […]
21-Increased Value and Ribbis
Let us move onto another area of ribbis which particularly affects those from abroad who are privileged to live in Eretz Yisrael. The classic case of ribbis is when one borrows a certain amount of money or items and agrees at the time of the loan to return more than he borrowed. For example, one […]
20-More Exceptions to the Rule regarding Favors and Ribbis
We mentioned last week that although a borrower may benefit his lender if he would have done so in the absence of his loan, there are several exceptions. The first one is a public favor, such as lending an apartment or a car. However, if this was standard behavior between them prior to the loan, […]
19-Extending Benefits to a Lender
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 […]
18- Gratitude and Ribbis
Last week we raised the issue of the borrower thanking his lender for the loan. As we mentioned, this isn’t an easy halacha to keep. As Yidden, we intuitively wish to express our very real feelings of gratitude. There’s an interesting story about Rav Shimon Schwab, zt”l, that addresses this point. As a bachur he […]
17-Hakaras Hatov and Ribbis
We’ve just finished the yom tov of Chanuka, when we celebrate our salvation from the clutches and influence of the Greeks. As we say in Al Hanissim, the essence of these days is praise and gratitude to Hashem – “and they established Chanuka to thank and to praise Your great name.” Jews are called Yehudim, people […]
