Musar para sa Exodo 22:24

“You shall not act towards him as a creditor” (Exodus 22:24). We were warned with this not to distress the borrower. And the creditor may not pass in front of him when he knows that the borrower does not have with what to pay him back. For he torments him and weakens his spirit with this. And our Rabbis, may their memory be blessed, said (Bava Metzia 78b), “Behold, it is as if he is judging him with two [punishments], as it is stated (Psalms 66:12), ‘You have let men ride over us; we have endured fire and water.’”

“You shall not put usury upon him” (Exodus 22:24) - [this is a negative commandment] for the witnesses - as the creditor, the borrower and the witnesses [all] transgress a negative commandment. Therefore, it states, “you shall not put (tasimun),” in plural, after it stated, “you shall not act (singular) towards him as a creditor” - since it is a warning to the witnesses.

Surely, one should not view a Torah scholar as small in his eyes because he provides for his needs, G-d forbid, nor should he give himself credit for sustaining and supporting him, for [the torah scholar’s] portion rests among [the benefactor’s] assets, as is said on the verse (Exodus 22:24): “to the poor among your people”: it is [merely] the mission of the Merciful one that he is doing. And not only this, but what the poor person does for the rich benefactor is greater than what the benefactor does for the poor person, for it is a merit for him [the rich person] in the world where all is good, as our Sages of blessed memory say (Ruth Rabbah 5:9, Vayikra Rabbah 34:8) on the verse (Ruth 2:19): “the man with whom I did [kindness] today was Boaz” [that is, Ruth said she did kindness to Boaz despite him giving her food], therefore one should be very careful about [the recipient’s] honor. And also the Torah scholars must be careful with the honor of their rich brethren who benefit and support them. For if it is said (Eruvin 86a) that Rabbi [Yehuda] and Rabbi Akiva honored the wealthy even though were not dependent on them, how much more so is one who needs them and benefits from them obligated to not be ungrateful, to show them some respect, and to exert himself somewhat on their behalf to give them satisfaction. Extra affection should be shown to them, and [the scholar] should teach them “the proper way to go and the deeds they should perform” (Exodus 18:20). With pleasant conversation and sweet language, “open rebuke is better than love” (Proverbs 27:5). And he should share in their distress and grieve with them and pray for them, and he should always pray for them so that they will succeed in all they undertake. And in all their Torah study and good deeds, they [the scholars] should have them [their supporters] in mind as well. Regarding this and similar matters, “the wise man shall hear and increase learning”(Proverbs 1:5), and he shall do so that he may find favor and good understanding in the eyes of G-d and man.