1. Dedicating the Shiur and the Power of Memory
I want to dedicate these words in memory of our friend’s father, whose yahrzeit—anniversary of passing is tonight. His name was Zundel ben Avram, and may his neshamah—soul have an aliyah—elevation. This is a time to reflect on the impact our loved ones have had on us, and how we can honor their memory through Torah study and good deeds.
2. The Prohibition of Interest in Jewish Law
Today’s portion in Chumash, in Parshas Ki Seitzei, discusses a very interesting halachah—Jewish law: the prohibition against taking interest. It is forbidden to loan money to another Jew and collect interest; you must give an interest-free loan. The Torah wants us to help each other without seeking personal gain from another’s hardship.
3. Insights from Birkat Hamazon: Gifts and Loans
There is a fascinating nuance in the language of Birkat Hamazon—Grace After Meals. We ask Hashem not to bring us to rely on gifts or loans from people, but rather that He provide for us directly from His open hand. Notice how the wording changes: we say “Loy li-dei matnas”—not even one gift (singular), indicating we don’t want to need even a single gift from others. But for loans, it says “v’loy li-dei halva’os”—in plural, meaning we pray not to make it a habit to rely on repeated loans, even though sometimes even successful people need to borrow money.
4. The Double Prohibition: Lender and Borrower
The Torah prohibits both taking and giving interest. In Vayikra, the focus is on the lender not taking interest, but in today’s parsha it emphasizes that the borrower also may not give interest. Rashi points out that this is an additional prohibition: if you pay interest as a borrower, you are also violating several prohibitions, not just the lender.
This teaches us that one cannot justify paying interest by saying it was only because the lender demanded it or by disguising it as a “gift.” If you borrow $1,000 and return $1,100 under the guise of a gift, it does not circumvent the prohibition—if it is payment for the loan, it remains forbidden.
5. Responsibility Not to Enable Others’ Wrongdoing
The Torah wants us not only to avoid wrongdoing ourselves but also not to enable others to do wrong. Even if you are willing to pay interest or disguise it as a gift, you are still contributing to another person violating this serious prohibition.
6. The Deeper Meaning of Giving: Principle and Interest
On a positive note, when someone gives generously—not just money but their time or care—especially parents who give both “principle” and “interest,” they go above and beyond for their children. There is a story about a child asking his father how much he earns per hour so he could buy an hour of his father’s time—a reminder of how precious our relationships are.
Often we only realize later in life how much our parents gave up for us—their sacrifices were both material and emotional. On days like a yahrzeit, we remember this deeply and seek ways to honor them through mitzvos such as coming to shul, saying Kaddish, answering Amen, and giving others opportunities for merit as well.
7. Honoring Parents and Continuing Their Legacy
The impact of honoring parents goes beyond what we can imagine—it elevates their souls and strengthens our connection with them even after they have passed on. On a yahrzeit, all their good deeds come together again in a spiritual cycle that benefits both them and us.
This is also an opportunity for us to continue their legacy by transmitting these values to the next generation—we are all links in this golden chain connecting past and future generations.
8. Blessings for the New Year
As we approach Yom Tov and Rosh Hashanah, we pray for a Kisivah v’Chasimah Tovah—a good inscription and sealing for a sweet year filled with happiness and only goodness for ourselves and our families.