Torah and Tea Tuesday 5/16/2017 – The Deeper Meaning of the Mitzvah of Ribis in Avodas Hashem
1. The Weekly Torah Cycle and Its Lessons
In our Torah and Tea class, we focus on drawing lessons from the weekly Torah portion. Each year, beginning with Simchat Torah—the celebration marking the completion and immediate restarting of the Torah—we read a portion every week. Sometimes, as this week, we read a double portion. This week’s readings are Behar and Bechukosai, which conclude the third book of the Torah. Upon finishing a book, we say “Chazak chazak v’nischazek—let us be strong and let us gain strength,” expressing gratitude to Hashem for reaching this milestone. Yet, even as we finish, we immediately begin again, always seeking new insights and inspiration from the Torah’s endless depth.
The beauty of Torah study is that no matter how many times you turn it over, there is always more to discover. I am fortunate to learn from the Rebbe’s teachings, which often reveal layers others might miss—like noticing a subtle detail in a painting that changes your whole understanding of it. The Rebbe’s ability to see deeper meaning inspires us to find new lessons in our own service of Hashem.
2. The Mitzvah of Ribis: Prohibition Against Interest
This week’s parsha discusses the mitzvah of ribis—interest. The Torah prohibits taking interest on loans between Jews. While interest is common in society (banks, for example), halachically one Jew may not charge another Jew interest, though it is permitted with non-Jews. Historically, this distinction has led to persecution against Jews, but it is simply a reciprocal arrangement: just as non-Jews may take interest from Jews, so too Jews may do so with non-Jews.
The deeper message is about kindness: lending money without interest is considered an even greater mitzvah than giving charity (tzedakah). As Rambam explains, when someone needs charity they have already reached a low point; lending helps them before they fall that far. Loans can be given to anyone in need—rich or poor—and must be given kindly and without profit motive. Furthermore, if you know someone cannot repay you, you are not even allowed to embarrass or pressure them for repayment.
3. Earning Versus Receiving: Lessons in Parenting and Divine Kindness
This concept leads us to a broader question: should we give our children everything if we have the means? Most would agree that simply handing things over spoils children and deprives them of valuable life lessons about effort and achievement. Similarly, in our relationship with Hashem, why doesn’t God just shower us with blessings without requiring us to serve Him?
The answer lies in the idea of Nahama Dehesufa—“bread of shame.” If one receives without effort or earning it becomes shameful bread; true kindness is when a parent (or Hashem) gives but also trains their child (or us) to earn what they receive. Hashem wants us to work for our blessings so that we appreciate them fully and grow through the process.
4. The Purpose of Mitzvos: Partnership With Hashem
We have 613 mitzvos—mitzvah meaning commandment—given at Sinai (611 through Moshe Rabbeinu and two directly from Hashem). Our lives are filled with mitzvos: making blessings before eating (brachos), keeping Shabbos and Yom Tov, honoring parents, loving God—a constant reminder not to take anything for granted but instead to express gratitude at every turn.
The question arises: why does Hashem require us to serve Him at all? Why not simply give us blessings? The answer is that by serving God through mitzvos we become partners in creation; our actions matter because they bring about real change both for ourselves and for the world.
5. Hashem as Role Model: Divine Example and Mirroring Our Actions
A key principle is that Hashem does not merely command us but models behavior Himself. When He tells us to do something (like putting on tefillin or lighting Shabbos candles), He “does” it first on a spiritual level before commanding us. Moreover, when we perform mitzvos, Hashem mirrors our actions—if we help others in need, He helps us measure for measure (midah k’neged midah). This dynamic gives us strength against internal and external obstacles by knowing that Hashem supports our efforts both before and after we act.
This partnership means our deeds truly matter: when we do good deeds here below, they cause “a smile” Above—a real impact on high that brings blessing back down into our lives.
6. Avoiding Shameful Bread: Accomplishment Versus Handouts
The Rebbe explains further with an analogy: if someone pays you for work that accomplishes nothing (like swinging a sickle back and forth in an empty room), it doesn’t feel rewarding because there’s no real achievement or benefit created. Similarly, if God gave us reward without any meaningful contribution on our part, it would feel hollow—Nahama Dehesufa. Instead, when we do mitzvos knowing they matter to Hashem Himself—that He responds directly to our actions—our efforts become deeply meaningful.
This realization motivates perseverance even when challenges arise or results seem small because every positive act creates genuine change Above and below.
7. Ribis as a Spiritual Metaphor: Living in the Present Not Off Past Merits
The prohibition against ribis also teaches about spiritual growth: collecting interest means benefiting now from something done previously rather than current effort or ownership. In avodas Hashem this means not relying on past achievements or merits but striving continually in the present.
I reflected on this after my father passed away; while I took pride in his legacy during his life (“look at my dad!”), after his passing I realized I needed to become a mensch myself rather than coasting on his reputation. Similarly with raising children or building communities—we cannot rest on what was accomplished before or by others (Zadie syndrome) but must step up ourselves now.
The Rebbe modeled this approach by never retiring from active service despite age or previous accomplishments—he kept working tirelessly rather than collecting “interest” from earlier successes.
8. Recognizing Divine Blessings Amidst Life’s Challenges
The ultimate message is that God rewards effort: He loves when we do mitzvos not because He needs them but because He wants us to earn blessing through meaningful action rather than handouts (Nahama Dehesufa). Even though His blessing may be hidden (like seeing the red light indicating your phone is charging), it is always present if we look sensitively for it.
If you trust Hashem amidst challenges and see difficulties as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles alone, then ultimately things will be revealed as good.
Knowing your actions count gives motivation to persevere despite setbacks or failures. Like maintaining healthy habits because you know their value, if you recognize your spiritual efforts matter, you’ll stay focused even when it’s hard. That’s what human struggle is about: picking ourselves up again each time.