Print this Article
Avissar Family Ribbit Initiative
INTRODUCTION
People will encounter many common Ribbit problems without ever realizing that they exist. Some may be questions of Ribbit D’Oraita which must be returned. Other times it can be D’Rabannan which one should be Mahmir (stringent) to return. In all cases they must be avoided. Hachamim are very stringent about any form of Ribbit, and elaborate on the punishment, Has V’Shalom, of one who is lax in this Mitzvah.
It is a lot easier to achieve the status of a “borrower” than one may think. Aside from actual loans, owing money to a friend for minutes used on his phone or for soda at the canteen, can also create a lender-borrower relationship. Having someone buy light bulbs from the store on your behalf and telling him to keep the change when you repay him, may be a Ribbit issue. Hence, these Halachot can apply more frequently than expected.