Mitzvah —
286
Not to pressure or claim from the borrower
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וְזֶה֮ דְּבַ֣ר הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ שָׁמ֗וֹט כׇּל־בַּ֙עַל֙ מַשֵּׁ֣ה יָד֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַשֶּׁ֖ה בְּרֵעֵ֑הוּ לֹֽא־יִגֹּ֤שׂ אֶת־רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ וְאֶת־אָחִ֔יו כִּֽי־קָרָ֥א שְׁמִטָּ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃ אֶת־הַנׇּכְרִ֖י תִּגֹּ֑שׂ וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֛ אֶת־אָחִ֖יךָ תַּשְׁמֵ֥ט יָדֶֽךָ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה
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Deuteronomy 15:2-3 - "And this is the manner of the release; to release the hand of every creditor from what he lent his friend; he shall not exact from his friend or his brother, because time of the release for the Lord has arrived. From the foreigner you may exact; but what is yours with your brother, your hand shall release."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Business / Commerce – מִשָּׂא וּמַתָּן
Creditors are forbidden to pressure borrowers for repayment once Shemitah has released the debt.
Following the command to release loans during Shemitah (Mitzvah 285), the Torah adds a prohibition: creditors must not press, harass, or even request repayment after the Shemitah year has canceled the debt. Even indirect pressure—such as showing displeasure or hinting at repayment—is forbidden, for the debt is considered nullified by Divine decree.
The release of loans is not merely technical; it is an act of faith and compassion. The Torah ensures that borrowers are not shamed or burdened after Shemitah. Instead, the creditor must openly acknowledge “I release it,” affirming the mitzvah’s sanctity. While the system of prozbul allows repayment in practice today, the underlying prohibition still guides ethical behavior, teaching creditors to avoid exploitation or intimidation.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 9:4): States that pressing for repayment after Shemitah is a direct violation of Torah law, even if the creditor only hints at collection.
- Mishnah (Shevi’it 10:9): Teaches that if a borrower insists on paying after Shemitah, the creditor must say, “I release it,” but may accept the payment if the borrower gives it willingly as a gift.
- Talmud (Gittin 37a): Discusses the difference between demanding repayment (forbidden) and receiving voluntary repayment (permitted).
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 478): Explains that this mitzvah prevents humiliation of the poor, emphasizing kindness and dignity.
- Rashi (Deuteronomy 15:2): Interprets “לֹא יִגֹּשׂ” as forbidding pursuit or pressure of the borrower, for Shemitah has already nullified the loan.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 9:4) emphasizes that refraining from pressing debtors shows trust in Hashem’s system of release, even when it appears financially costly.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 478) explains that the mitzvah elevates financial dealings into acts of holiness, requiring restraint and respect for Hashem’s sanctification of Shemitah.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- By nullifying the creditor’s claim, the mitzvah resets economic balance, ensuring no one is crushed under perpetual debt. (Deuteronomy 15:2.)
Compassion – רַחֲמִים
- The Torah forbids creditors from even hinting at repayment, shielding the poor from emotional and social pressure. (Rashi on Deut. 15:2.)
Charity – צְדָקָה
- Mishnah (Shevi’it 10:9) allows repayment only as a voluntary gift, framing the act as charity rather than obligation, reinforcing kindness and generosity.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- By protecting vulnerable debtors, Shemitah fosters unity and dignity within society, ensuring that financial strength does not translate into social domination.
Shemitah – שְׁמִטָּה
- Deuteronomy 15:2 ties this prohibition to Shemitah’s declaration: “כִּי קָרָא שְׁמִטָּה לַה',” showing that Hashem Himself commands release.
Monetary Laws – דִּינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת
- Rambam (Hilchot Malveh V’Loveh 15:2) classifies this mitzvah as a cornerstone of financial justice, shaping how creditors must behave after Shemitah.
Loans – הַלְוָאָה
- Talmud (Gittin 37a) distinguishes between coerced repayment (forbidden) and voluntary repayment (permitted), clarifying the halachic framework for loans post-Shemitah.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- By refraining from collection, a creditor demonstrates loyalty to Hashem’s decree, sanctifying financial life as part of religious obedience.
Bein Adam L’Chavero – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ
- The mitzvah protects borrowers from humiliation and exploitation, strengthening fairness and compassion between individuals. (Sefer HaChinuch 478.)
