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Shmittas Kesafim – Foregoing Loans

As the Shmittah year approaches its close, one last mitzvah awaits us. This mitzvah, unlike the rest of the laws of Shmittah, is completely independent of agriculture and produce. Rather its intention is to strengthen our character and desire to give (see Sefer Hachinuch Mitzvah 477). Furthermore, this mitzvah entrenches in us the awareness that everything belongs to Hashem, rendering unfit the pursuit of material wealth (Tumim 67:1). The Torah tells us, “At the end of seven years you will institute a remission [shmittah]. This is the matter of the of the remission, every creditor shall forgo his claim for what he has lent his friend, he shall not press his friend or his brother, for He has proclaimed a remission for Hashem, you may demand payment from a gentile, and that which you have with your brother, you shall relinquish” (Devorim ch. 15).

The mitzvah of shmittas kesafim, forgoing claims on loans, has many facets and halochos. Does this Mitzvah apply today? Does it obligate one who lives in chutz l’aretz? When does it take effect? If I lent someone my car, do I have to let him keep it? I borrowed tomatoes from a neighbor; do I have to give them back? What if I want to pay back my loan, is that permitted or am I in violation of the Torah’s will? Bezras Hashem we will clarify these questions and discuss other ideas related to this mitzvah.

Sephardic and Ashkenazic Pronunciation

Is there a halachic issue for Ashkenazi Jews prouncing a “tav” without a dagaysh, as a “T” sound the way sephardic Jews do? In terms of being Yotzee Krias Shema or Krias HaTorah? Answer: While one should ideally pronounce tefillos according to his family custom, one can fulfill kriyas shma and tefilla with both pronunciations. […]

Divorced Women

th rambam says לא יגרש אדם את אשתו אלא אם כן מצא בה דבר ערוה if someone devorces his wife is there any חשד about the women and the children Answer: No, many divorces are not based on immodest behavior, but on other factors, mainly fighting and incompatibility. The Rama E:H 119:3 writes that as […]