Question:
Many years ago friend paid for a meal we had together and I told him I'm going to return the favor and pay for his meal next time. It's been many years years and he lives far away. I'd like to send him a gift certificate to a kosher restaraunt. A nice meal at that restaurant would cost about $50 which I'm happy to spend; but I'm concerned about ribbis issues because I don't remember how much the meal he bought for me cost and I don't want to return the nice favor he did for me with a cheaper/flimsy gift certificate. What can I do in this case?
Thanks
Answer:
Hello,
If it is possible that the original meal cost him $50, then it is permitted for you to send it to him. This is even if in actuality it might have cost him less. This is because you are paying him back for his meal, and any extra that you are adding is only to make sure that you aren’t giving him back anything less than what you got. However, to spend an amount that is clearly more than what he spent, would be ribbis.
This is even if you promised him to repay him a meal after you ate the meal, then you would be able to pay him back more than what he gave you. As a side point for the future, in order not to avoid such issues, don’t tell him
Sources:
ע' או"ח ס' ק"ע סע' י"ג.
