Q&A: Last Night’s Lesson on Matters of the Sabbatical Year
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Last Night’s Lesson on Matters of the Sabbatical Year
Question
Good morning. Regarding the distinction you made in the lesson between a debt to a lender and a debt to the owner of the grocery store, does that also have an expression at the level of the risk the lender takes with his money? Thank you.
Answer
I didn’t understand the question.
Discussion on Answer
As a result of my definition, ostensibly the risk increases, since it depends on the borrower’s performing a commandment. But that is only theoretical. In practice there is an obligation to repay, and the borrower can be sued in a religious court. But a minor is not subject to performing commandments and is not obligated to repay; however, that too does not depend on my explanation. That is an opinion in the Talmud itself (Rav Pappa).
A lender takes an economic risk when giving the loan. You presented a framework that defines the loan as an exchange of gifts. Does the economic risk become smaller or greater as a result of your definition?