Shalom and Peace: I invite you to continue with Judaism's advice for living from its Talmud. Perhaps our Government could have learned from this in August of 2011.
''If you have guaranteed a loan for someone, remember that it must be paid by yourself. '' [Derek Eretz Zuta 3:4]. Benjamin Franklin taught ''neither a borrower nor a lender, be.'' Jews have a commandment to lend, without interest, to a person in true need.
Derek Eretz is teaching us human nature and what to expect when we loan, so that when the loan isn't paid back, we do not have resentments and ill will.
If we co-sign someone's loan, expect that they will default. We are going to have to pay it. If that doesn't occur, great. But if it does, let it come as no surprise to us, and let us not become angry. Don't co-sign a loan that we do not have the funds from which to pay it with money that won't be missed.
''If you have borrowed money, know that you have borrowed it to be repaid in time. '' Only borrow money knowing that we can and must pay it back on time. Don't think: "Oh, when the balloon mortgage comes due, I will be promoted, and my home will have appreciated.'' If we borrow, we need to have a concrete plan to be able to pay it back. ''One who borrows,'' the Talmud teaches, ''and does not repay, is a thief.'' [Tractates Bava Batra 88a and Bava Metzia 78a.]
''If you have loaned money to somebody, be prepared to have difficulty in collecting it.'' Only loan what we can afford to lose and/or have the time to go chase someone to get repayment. Every time I have lent money, it is to people who have told me they had no money for medicine, or food, or for their kids. I lent, but in my head, I knew it was a gift. The Talmud tells us that when we lend, the borrower will develop resentment to the lender. It ruins friendships. Hence since we live in an age of banks, and credit cards, and credit unions, it is better to listen to Franklin's advice.
''Remember the time you have to repay, and settle your accounts.'' While it seems redundant proper behavior is to repay our loans on time. There is a deeper meaning to this verse. The Hebrew word for accounts is Chesbonim. A chesbon is an accounting, an inventory, or even the word for the 'bill' in a restaurant. It is also used in the phrase, Chesbon ha Nefesh, an inventory of our soul, of our character defects, of those we have a grudge against, of our fears. We only have a certain amount of time before our defects of character cause us, as well as others, harm. Settle them. Do Mussar, steps of transformation and spiritual growth, and clear our accounts, our Chesbon. This is good universal advice for living.
Rabbi Arthur Segal is an international lecturer, author, and teacher. Visit him at www.JewishSpiritualRenewal.org . Follow him on FaceBook at 'Arthur L Segal', on Twitter at RabbiASegal, or his blog at http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com . Email at RabbiSegal@JewishSpiritualRenewal.net
Jewish Renewal www.jewishrenewal.info
Jewish Spiritual Renewal http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com
Jewish Spirituality
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Hilton Head Island, SC, Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
Jewish Renewal www.jewishrenewal.info
Jewish Spiritual Renewal http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com
Jewish Spirituality
Eco Judaism
facebook.com/RabbiArthurSegalJewishSpiritualRenewal
Hilton Head Island, SC, Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
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