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Deuteronomy 15:9 - Guard against selfish thoughts?

Deuteronomy 15:9 - דברים 15:9

Hebrew Text

הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ פֶּן־יִהְיֶה דָבָר עִם־לְבָבְךָ בְלִיַּעַל לֵאמֹר קָרְבָה שְׁנַת־הַשֶּׁבַע שְׁנַת הַשְּׁמִטָּה וְרָעָה עֵינְךָ בְּאָחִיךָ הָאֶבְיוֹן וְלֹא תִתֵּן לוֹ וְקָרָא עָלֶיךָ אֶל־יְהוָה וְהָיָה בְךָ חֵטְא׃

English Translation

Beware that there be not an unworthy thought in thy heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thy eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou give him nothing; and he cry to the Lord against thee; for it shall be reckoned to you as sin.

Transliteration

Hishamer lekha pen-yihyeh davar im-levavkha vliyaal lemor karvah shnat-hasheva shnat hashemitah veraah einekha be'akhikha ha'evyon velo titen lo vekara alekha el-Adonai vehayah bekha het.

Hebrew Leining Text

הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֡ פֶּן־יִהְיֶ֣ה דָבָר֩ עִם־לְבָבְךָ֨ בְלִיַּ֜עַל לֵאמֹ֗ר קָֽרְבָ֣ה שְׁנַֽת־הַשֶּׁ֘בַע֮ שְׁנַ֣ת הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ וְרָעָ֣ה עֵֽינְךָ֗ בְּאָחִ֙יךָ֙ הָֽאֶבְי֔וֹן וְלֹ֥א תִתֵּ֖ן ל֑וֹ וְקָרָ֤א עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהָיָ֥ה בְךָ֖ חֵֽטְא׃
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֡ פֶּן־יִהְיֶ֣ה דָבָר֩ עִם־לְבָבְךָ֨ בְלִיַּ֜עַל לֵאמֹ֗ר קָֽרְבָ֣ה שְׁנַֽת־הַשֶּׁ֘בַע֮ שְׁנַ֣ת הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ וְרָעָ֣ה עֵֽינְךָ֗ בְּאָחִ֙יךָ֙ הָֽאֶבְי֔וֹן וְלֹ֥א תִתֵּ֖ן ל֑וֹ וְקָרָ֤א עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶל־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהָיָ֥ה בְךָ֖ חֵֽטְא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Devarim 15:9) appears in the context of the mitzvah of shemittah (the Sabbatical year), where loans are forgiven and debts are released. The Torah warns against withholding charity or loans to the poor as the shemittah year approaches, fearing the debt will not be repaid.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the "unworthy thought" (davar beliya'al) refers to a person rationalizing not giving charity or loans to the needy because the shemittah year is near. The Torah condemns this attitude, as it demonstrates a lack of trust in Hashem, who commands us to assist the poor regardless of financial calculations.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 10:4) emphasizes that this verse teaches the severity of hardening one's heart against the poor. Even if one fears financial loss, the Torah warns that refusing assistance will lead to sin, as the poor will cry out to Hashem, invoking divine judgment.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) interprets "an unworthy thought" as a form of avak lashon hara (a trace of evil speech), since the hesitation to give implies suspicion or disdain for the poor.
  • It also connects this verse to the broader principle that Hashem tests the Jewish people with mitzvos involving monetary sacrifice to strengthen their faith.

Halachic Implications

The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 97:1) rules that one must not refuse a loan before shemittah, even if repayment seems unlikely. The Rema adds that this applies even to non-Jews, demonstrating the universal ethical demand of compassion.

Moral Lesson

The verse underscores that true charity requires generosity without hesitation or calculation. Trust in Hashem's providence is essential—He who commands us to give will ensure our sustenance, as stated in the following verse (Devarim 15:10): "You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give."

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Arakhin 30b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the laws of the Sabbatical year (Shemitah) and the moral obligation to assist the poor, emphasizing the prohibition against withholding help due to the approaching Shemitah year.
📖 Sotah 41a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the importance of fulfilling commandments with a sincere heart, warning against the evil inclination that might lead one to neglect charitable obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 15:9 warn against?
A: The verse warns against having a selfish thought in your heart as the Shemitah (Sabbatical) year approaches, leading you to refuse lending money or helping a needy person because you fear not being repaid. This attitude is considered sinful because it shows a lack of trust in Hashem's promise to provide.
Q: Why is the Shemitah year mentioned in this verse?
A: The Shemitah year (seventh year) is when all loans are forgiven (Deuteronomy 15:1-2). The Torah warns that one should not use this as an excuse to withhold help from the poor, emphasizing that generosity should not depend on financial calculations but on trust in Hashem.
Q: What does 'an unworthy thought in thy heart' mean in this context?
A: Rashi explains that this refers to a 'Belial' (wicked) thought—calculating selfishly and withholding charity because of the approaching Shemitah year. The Torah teaches that one must overcome such hesitation and act with kindness regardless of financial concerns.
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: Even though the laws of Shemitah loans apply fully only in the Land of Israel, the principle remains relevant: we must not let financial concerns prevent us from helping others. The Rambam (Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 10:4) teaches that giving with a generous spirit is a key mitzvah at all times.
Q: What is the consequence of ignoring this commandment?
A: The verse states that if the poor person cries out to Hashem because of your refusal to help, it will be counted as a sin. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 75b) teaches that withholding charity when able is a serious offense, as it goes against the Torah’s emphasis on compassion and communal responsibility.