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What is Parshat Mishpatim?

 

Mishpatim is the parsha in the Torah from which the work of Hebrew Free Loan is derived. The Jewish nation is instructed to behave as a cohesive unit, each of us concerned for the other. In Parshat Mishpatim, which describes many laws of behavior toward others, we are taught about the mitzvah of helping our fellow Jews by lending money without charging interest; “If you lend money to your fellow, do not act like a creditor; do not exact interest from him”[i].We are also told that “there will never cease to be needy ones on earth”[ii], who are entitled to dignity and respect, and we are commanded to assist them. Maimonides indicated that “A loan is better than charity for it enables one to help oneself with dignity.” The highest form of tzedakah is to help a person help themselves. When we help each other, we are united through our acts of kindness.

Hebrew Free Loan of San Diego is based on, and inspired by, this biblical mandate. HFLSD helps members of our local Jewish community become, and remain, self-sufficient through interest-free loans that meet a wide variety of personal needs.

[i] Exodus 22:25 [ii] Deuteronomy 15:11

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