TRADING MEALS A group of friends agreed to take turns sponsoring their weekly dinner at a local eatery. Each week a different one of the group would pick up the tab. Since it is inevitable that the cost will vary slightly from week to week, is there a problem of ribbit if one meal is more expensive than a previous one?             May synagogue members … [Read more...]

  Collateral /using a collateral phone   If a lender was given collateral (a mashkon) by the borrower, such as a cellphone with unlimited minutes, may the lender make use of the collateral for himself, or would that be considered as extra payment and consequently present a ribbit problem?   Maran, in the Shulchan Aruch (CM 72:1) rules that a lender … [Read more...]

BEFRIENDING WITH INTENTION TO BORROW   A rich man moves into the neighborhood with his family and obviously makes many friends. May one befriend him with the intention of borrowing from him in the future? May a neighbor give the man a housewarming present so that he will agree to lend him money tomorrow? If he did give presents, but learned that there is a … [Read more...]

THANKING THE LENDER May the borrower thank the lender for the loan? May he greet him warmly upon meeting him in the street? Does it make any difference if he thanked or greeted him during the life of the loan or afterward? As discussed in the previous chapter, Hachamim forbade the borrower to perform favors for the lender, even where there is no financial value to the … [Read more...]

SENDING A PACKAGE OVERSEAS It is customary to give “Shaliah Mitzvah money” as a shmirah (protection) to someone who is traveling, in order that they give it to tzedakah upon arrival at their destination. May the giver request favors from the traveler, such as also taking a package with him overseas? This seldom involves a Ribbit issue, since the money is not given as a … [Read more...]