It’s not just about giving what you have, but about how you give it. In the book of Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a powerful idea linked to the verse, "you shall not be as a creditor to him" (Exodus 22:24).
What does it really mean to lend to someone in need? Well, Proverbs 19:17 tells us that "One who cares for the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay his reward." Sounds pretty good. But there’s a catch. Proverbs 22:7 also reminds us that "A borrower is a servant to a man who lends." So, how do we navigate this tricky situation? How do we lend without creating a power imbalance?
The text goes on, focusing on the phrase "to the poor who is with you." It emphasizes just how crushing poverty can be. The Rabbis even declared that poverty is harsher than all other forms of suffering combined! All the aches, all the pains, all the illnesses… and poverty is still considered worse.
To illustrate this, Shemot Rabbah brings us to the story of Job. You remember Job. The guy who lost everything? The Satan, the accuser, challenged God, suggesting Job only revered God because he was blessed with wealth and protection. "Have You not sheltered him, his household, and everything that is his?" (Job 1:9-10), the accuser asks. "Is it for nothing that Job reveres God?"
So, God gives the accuser permission to test Job. But here’s the interesting part: God asks Job to choose between poverty and suffering. And what does Job choose? He says he'd rather endure all the suffering in the world than face poverty. Why? Because as the text explains, imagine going to the marketplace without even a peruta – a small coin – to buy food.
After enduring immense suffering, Job begins to question divine justice. "If only I could know and find Him" (Job 23:3), he cries out. Elihu then rebukes him, reminding him that he chose suffering over poverty! "Beware, do not turn to injustice, for you have chosen this over poverty" (Job 36:21). This highlights just how deeply ingrained the fear of poverty was, even in someone as righteous as Job.
So, back to the original point: "To the poor who is with you." God is essentially saying, "Is their poverty not enough? Why would you add to their burden by charging interest?" It’s a powerful reminder that true generosity isn't just about giving; it's about giving with compassion and understanding. It's about recognizing the inherent dignity of the person in need and avoiding actions that could further diminish them.
This passage in Shemot Rabbah challenges us to think deeply about our interactions with those less fortunate. Are we truly helping, or are we inadvertently adding to their burden? It’s a question worth pondering, a question that gets to the very heart of what it means to be a compassionate and just person.