The Power of Healing and Lending with Compassion

The Torah teaches us many lessons about responsibility, kindness, and trust in Hashem. One such lesson appears when discussing liabilities in a fight. The Torah tells us that if two people are fighting and one injures the other to the point that he can no longer work, the attacker must compensate the injured party. Among the various payments he must make, the Torah concludes by saying, “He shall provide for his healing,” meaning he must also cover medical expenses.

From this, the Gemara (Bava Kama 85a) derives an important lesson: a doctor is permitted to heal. Rashi explains that one might have thought that since Hashem caused this person’s sickness or injury, we should rely solely on Him for healing. However, the Torah explicitly teaches us otherwise—we are allowed to seek medical help.

The Chofetz Chaim points out something fascinating: this case refers to an injury caused by another person. And yet, the Torah still emphasizes that even such suffering ultimately comes from a decree in Heaven. This perspective can be incredibly comforting. Everything we experience, even when it seems to have a direct human cause, is truly from Hashem. And if Hashem, our loving and merciful Father, allows us to go through challenges, it must be for our ultimate benefit.

Now, let’s take this idea of Hashem’s involvement in our lives and apply it to another area—how we interact with others financially.

The Torah states:
“If you lend money to My people… do not act towards them as a creditor, and do not place interest upon them.” (Shemos 22:24)

Why are these two mitzvos—avoiding aggressive debt collection and not charging interest—placed together? R’ Yehoshua Leib Diskin offers a beautiful insight. Sometimes, a lender may be hesitant to give a loan, fearing that the borrower will delay repayment. To ensure prompt payment, the lender might pretend that interest will accrue over time—though he has no intention of actually collecting it. This, too, is forbidden. The Torah warns us not to apply pressure through interest, even as a psychological tool.

Just as Hashem guides our lives with compassion, we must act with compassion toward others. Whether it’s in healing the sick or helping someone in financial need, the Torah reminds us to trust in Hashem and treat each other with kindness.

May we always remember that our struggles are in the hands of a loving Father, and may we strive to emulate His ways in how we care for one another.

The Torah teaches us many lessons about responsibility, kindness, and trust in Hashem. One such lesson appears when discussing liabilities in a fight. The Torah tells us that if two people are fighting and one injures the other to the point that he can no longer work, the attacker must compensate the injured party. Among the various payments he must make, the Torah concludes by saying, “He shall provide for his healing,” meaning he must also cover medical expenses.

From this, the Gemara (Bava Kama 85a) derives an important lesson: a doctor is permitted to heal. Rashi explains that one might have thought that since Hashem caused this person’s sickness or injury, we should rely solely on Him for healing. However, the Torah explicitly teaches us otherwise—we are allowed to seek medical help.

The Chofetz Chaim points out something fascinating: this case refers to an injury caused by another person. And yet, the Torah still emphasizes that even such suffering ultimately comes from a decree in Heaven. This perspective can be incredibly comforting. Everything we experience, even when it seems to have a direct human cause, is truly from Hashem. And if Hashem, our loving and merciful Father, allows us to go through challenges, it must be for our ultimate benefit.

Now, let’s take this idea of Hashem’s involvement in our lives and apply it to another area—how we interact with others financially.

The Torah states:
“If you lend money to My people… do not act towards them as a creditor, and do not place interest upon them.” (Shemos 22:24)

Why are these two mitzvos—avoiding aggressive debt collection and not charging interest—placed together? R’ Yehoshua Leib Diskin offers a beautiful insight. Sometimes, a lender may be hesitant to give a loan, fearing that the borrower will delay repayment. To ensure prompt payment, the lender might pretend that interest will accrue over time—though he has no intention of actually collecting it. This, too, is forbidden. The Torah warns us not to apply pressure through interest, even as a psychological tool.

Just as Hashem guides our lives with compassion, we must act with compassion toward others. Whether it’s in healing the sick or helping someone in financial need, the Torah reminds us to trust in Hashem and treat each other with kindness.

May we always remember that our struggles are in the hands of a loving Father, and may we strive to emulate His ways in how we care for one another.

The Torah teaches us many lessons about responsibility, kindness, and trust in Hashem. One such lesson appears when discussing liabilities in a fight. The Torah tells us that if two people are fighting and one injures the other to the point that he can no longer work, the attacker must compensate the injured party. Among the various payments he must make, the Torah concludes by saying, “He shall provide for his healing,” meaning he must also cover medical expenses.

From this, the Gemara (Bava Kama 85a) derives an important lesson: a doctor is permitted to heal. Rashi explains that one might have thought that since Hashem caused this person’s sickness or injury, we should rely solely on Him for healing. However, the Torah explicitly teaches us otherwise—we are allowed to seek medical help.

The Chofetz Chaim points out something fascinating: this case refers to an injury caused by another person. And yet, the Torah still emphasizes that even such suffering ultimately comes from a decree in Heaven. This perspective can be incredibly comforting. Everything we experience, even when it seems to have a direct human cause, is truly from Hashem. And if Hashem, our loving and merciful Father, allows us to go through challenges, it must be for our ultimate benefit.

Now, let’s take this idea of Hashem’s involvement in our lives and apply it to another area—how we interact with others financially.

The Torah states:
“If you lend money to My people… do not act towards them as a creditor, and do not place interest upon them.” (Shemos 22:24)

Why are these two mitzvos—avoiding aggressive debt collection and not charging interest—placed together? R’ Yehoshua Leib Diskin offers a beautiful insight. Sometimes, a lender may be hesitant to give a loan, fearing that the borrower will delay repayment. To ensure prompt payment, the lender might pretend that interest will accrue over time—though he has no intention of actually collecting it. This, too, is forbidden. The Torah warns us not to apply pressure through interest, even as a psychological tool.

Just as Hashem guides our lives with compassion, we must act with compassion toward others. Whether it’s in healing the sick or helping someone in financial need, the Torah reminds us to trust in Hashem and treat each other with kindness.

May we always remember that our struggles are in the hands of a loving Father, and may we strive to emulate His ways in how we care for one another.