Parshas Mishpatim 5786: Hand a Helping Lend

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Parshas Mishpatim 

לעילוי נשמת האדא בת מרדכי 

 

Hand a Helping Lend 

Parshas Mishpatim is filled with monetary laws, cases of injury, property damage, and financial responsibility. These dinim, while seemingly more mundane than the esoteric laws of tumah and tahara, karbanos, kedushah, or kashrus, are no less essential a part of Torah than any other facet. In fact, the very first Rashi (21:1) in the parsha points out that the parsha starts with the word “v’eileh” to clearly connect it to the Aseres HaDibros of last week’s parsha, and to relate that every single one of the dinnim here were also stated explicitly on Har Sinai and an essential part of our mesorah.  

As we read through all these dinnim, a clear theme runs through them: in the Torah’s view, a person’s possessions are not merely assets; they are responsibilities. A person is bound not only to his direct actions, but to the consequences of what he owns and what he sets in motion. When one’s animal causes damage, when a fire spreads beyond its point of origin, or when a person deepens an existing pit by even a single tefach and thereby assumes liability for its full destructive potential, the Torah is teaching that ownership creates accountability. What belongs to you exists and acts on your behalf, and you are responsible for where it leads. 

This perspective extends beyond damages and into the realm of money itself. The Torah (22:24) states, “אִם־כֶּסֶף תַּלְוֶה אֶת־עַמִּי אֶת־הֶעָנִי עִמָּךְ”. Rashi (22:24) quotes Rebbe Yishmael who says that while the word “im” typically translates as “if”, this passuk is one of three examples where it does not refer to a voluntary act, but rather an obligatory one. It is therefore more aptly read as “when”. Lending money to someone in need is an obligation. The Rambam (Hilchos Malveh ve’Loveh 1:1) sharpens this idea even further, ruling that the mitzvah of lending is greater than the mitzvah of giving tzedakah. Tzedakah intervenes after a person has already fallen; an interest-free loan steps in earlier, preserving dignity and preventing collapse.  

When we lend to others, we are extending a piece of ourselves into their lives, and with it, a heightened sense of responsibility for their well-being, especially while that piece of us remains in their possession. As the passuk continues and says, “When you will lend money to My people, to the poor person who is with you...”, and Rashi explains, “Look at yourself as if you are the poor person”.  

What we own, how we own it, and what we do with it all matter in the context of the responsibility we have to society at large. Money, like property, is an extension of ourselves, and the Torah demands that we take responsibility for how that extension affects others. In the same way that we are obligated to prevent harm caused by what we own, we are obligated to use what we own to support others. The Torah commands us to ensure that we do not bring harm to others - whether directly or through our possessions - and not only to lend a helping hand, but to hand a helping lend.