3,790. Refraining From Lending Money in Anticipation of Shemittah

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 9:29

If a borrower repaid a loan without specifying that he was doing so as a gift, the lender should turn the conversation in such a way that the borrower will volunteer that the money is his and he’s giving it to the lender as a gift. If the borrower doesn’t make such a statement, the lender may not accept the money. In such a case, the borrower must take his money and go.

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 9:30

If someone refrains from lending money before shemittah out of concern that repayment may be delayed and the debt canceled, he violates a Torah prohibition, as per Deuteronomy 15:9: “Be careful that there not be a base thought in your heart....” This is such a severe sin that the Torah warned against it twice. First, it says “Be careful that there not be,” which connotes a prohibition. The Torah objects to this bad attitude by calling it “base.” The verse continues by warning and commanding a person not to refrain, but to extend the loan, as per verse 10: “You shall surely give him and your heart will not regret giving him.” God promises the reward for this mitzvah in this world, as the verse continues: “Hashem will bless you because of this.”