Thursday, May 2, 2013
Parshas Behar - Bechukosai The forbiddeness of Ribis and Lack of Faith of G-d
9:46 PM | 
Posted by
Rabbi Chaim Coffman |
Leviticus 25:36 "Do not take usury from him or increase but fear G-d so your brother can live with you" According to the Kli Yakar, it is forbidden to lend someone money with interest because it is a lack of faith in G-d. How can this be?
Normally a person who works, will turn their eyes to G-d for Heavenly help to help them with livelihood because there is no guarantee that they will be successful in their business. Lending with interest, on the other hand, a person is guaranteed to make a profit and therefore does not need to rely on G-d to help him which is a lack of faith in Him. That is why this verse is brought in after the topic of Shemittah has been discussed since the purpose of the mitzvah of Shemittah is to have stronger belief in G-d.
There is a famous story with the Alshich that illustrates this point. Once he was speaking to the people of his city and told them that if they would dedicate all their time to learning Torah and working on themselves spiritually they would not have to worry about their livelihood because G-d would give them livelihood without them having to work for it!
When a simple wagon driver heard this, he decided that he was going tovdo just that! Immediately he stopped working and went to the study hall to learn. A few days later, he found a chest of gold that was able to support himself handsomely.
The students of the Alshich were astounded. They said that they also learn Torah and pray hard and they have not merited such heavenly help! The Alshich answered that the simpleness and pure faith of the wagon driver showed how clearly he believed with certainty about what the rav had said. G-d said He would help all those who dedicate themselves to learning Torah and he had no doubt about it at all and therefore was rewarded from heaven!
You, my students on the other hand don't have as much faith as the simple wagon driver. Instead, you test G-d to see if He is going to help you and therefore it is not enough faith that G-d should send livelihood like He did with the simple wagon driver.
This teaches us a fundamental lesson about belief and faith in G-d and what G-d demands from us.
Good Shabbos
Normally a person who works, will turn their eyes to G-d for Heavenly help to help them with livelihood because there is no guarantee that they will be successful in their business. Lending with interest, on the other hand, a person is guaranteed to make a profit and therefore does not need to rely on G-d to help him which is a lack of faith in Him. That is why this verse is brought in after the topic of Shemittah has been discussed since the purpose of the mitzvah of Shemittah is to have stronger belief in G-d.
There is a famous story with the Alshich that illustrates this point. Once he was speaking to the people of his city and told them that if they would dedicate all their time to learning Torah and working on themselves spiritually they would not have to worry about their livelihood because G-d would give them livelihood without them having to work for it!
When a simple wagon driver heard this, he decided that he was going tovdo just that! Immediately he stopped working and went to the study hall to learn. A few days later, he found a chest of gold that was able to support himself handsomely.
The students of the Alshich were astounded. They said that they also learn Torah and pray hard and they have not merited such heavenly help! The Alshich answered that the simpleness and pure faith of the wagon driver showed how clearly he believed with certainty about what the rav had said. G-d said He would help all those who dedicate themselves to learning Torah and he had no doubt about it at all and therefore was rewarded from heaven!
You, my students on the other hand don't have as much faith as the simple wagon driver. Instead, you test G-d to see if He is going to help you and therefore it is not enough faith that G-d should send livelihood like He did with the simple wagon driver.
This teaches us a fundamental lesson about belief and faith in G-d and what G-d demands from us.
Good Shabbos
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