Question:
Reuven borrowed 100 dollars from Shimon. when he wanted to pay him back Shimon said "put it in the mail." Reuven tried reasoning with him that the mail is not so reliable but Shimon dismissed his argument. The money never got to Shimon. Reuven now feels bad that he never got the money can he give Shimon 100 dollars or it is a problem of ribbis?
Answer:
Hello,
Shimon may give Reuven another $100 and it is not an issue of ribbis. The reason is because he isn’t giving him the extra money, because he kept Reuven’s money, rather to allay the bad feeling in his heart, that Ruven shouldn’t lose the $1000 dollars that he lent him. Therefore it is permitted.
Best wishes
