Should I lend Money to My Neighbor?
For August 26, 2022
Deuteronomy 15:8
כִּֽי־פָתֹ֧חַ תִּפְתַּ֛ח אֶת־יָדְךָ֖ ל֑וֹ וְהַעֲבֵט֙ תַּעֲבִיטֶ֔נּוּ דֵּ֚י מַחְסֹר֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֶחְסַ֖ר לֽוֹ׃
"Rather, you must open your hand and lend whatever is sufficient to meet the need."
The 7 Noahide Laws do not specifically command that Noahides must give charity or do good deeds to their neighbor. However, there are many rules that are logical and fall under the rules necessary for maintaining a healthy society. Such as honoring parents, and kindness and charity. They are therefore obligatory, at least in a general way, because that is the right way for a person to do, as befits the image of G-d in which he was created.
This verse teaches us that if our neighbor needs monetary assistance, we should give it as often as necessary (for a normal way of life) either as a gift or as a loan.
The Positive Jewish Commandment 198 is:
When issuing a loan to a non-Jew, we are commanded to charge interest. [This commandment only applies to a non-Jew who has not accepted upon himself the Seven Noahide Laws.] The Sages enacted various restrictions to this mitzvah [such as forbidding the charging of outright interest].
From this I draw the conclusion that a Noahide may not charge interest to a Noahide.
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
Chabadapp: chumash with Rashi
The Divine Code written by Rabbi Moshe Weiner
Chabad: Taking Interest from a Gentile
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