Pisqa’ 112³⁰⁷

1. “Now, this is the procedure for the release: every creditor shall release the debt owed him by his kinsman or brother” (Dt. 15:2).

[A debtor] who returns a debt in the Seventh year—

I release it!

Nevertheless [I prefer to repay the debt]!— [the creditor] accepts it from him,

**“This is the procedure (davar)**³⁰⁸, for example, an oral declaration satisfies the creditor’s obligation to cancel the debt (see M. Shev.10:1-6 on prozbul). for the release” (Dt. 15:2)— [the creditor’s declaration of release is sufficient to meet his obligation]. ³⁰⁹

footnotes: ³⁰⁷ H:159-160; JN1:284-285. ³⁰⁸ Literally, “word.” The point is that, unlike a written document like the prozbul ³⁰⁹ =M. Shev. 10:8.

2. The Release-year releases a loan, but the Jubilee-year does not release a loan.

Just as the Release-year, which does not liberate slaves [with fewer than seven years’ service], does release a loan, so, too, the Jubilee year, which does liberate slaves (Lv. 25:40)— isn’t it only logical that it should release a loan?

every creditor shall release the debt” (Dt. 15:2)— [therefore,] the Release-year releases a loan, while the Jubilee year does not release a loan.

Here is a logical argument proving that

Just as the Jubilee year, which does not release a loan, nevertheless liberates slaves (Lv. 25:40)— isn’t it only logical that the Seventh year, which does release a loan, should also liberate slaves?

“In this year of the Jubilee, shall a man return to his property” (Lv. 25:13)—

the Seventh year releases a loan, **while the Jubilee year liberates slaves.**³¹⁰ per. 3:6.

footnotes: ³¹⁰ =Sifra, bahar,

3. “Every creditor shall release the debt owed him by his kinsman (Dt. 15:2). Is it possible to say that even stolen property or collateral [must be released]? The Teaching states: “the debt owed him” (Dt. 15:2)— [this excludes obligation to release stolen or pledged objects].

Or [we might reason as follows]: “The debt owed him” (Dt. 15:2)— is it possible to say that [an employer must release] a worker’s back-pay or a shop-keeper [must release] an extension of credit?

“Owed him by his kinsman” (Dt. 15:2).

Now, if we are ultimately going to include all of these **[under the rule of the Release-year],**³¹¹ what does the Teaching mean by: “Owed him” (Dt. 15:2)? Just as owed him [implies that the debtor has] a standing obligation [to pay the creditor], so, too, all of these are standing obligations [rather than loans].

footnotes: ³¹¹ Cf. M. Shev.10:1; T. Shev.8:3.

“He shall not dun” (Dt. 15:2)— this verse places [a dunning creditor] in violation of a proscription.

“His kinsman” (Dt. 15:2)— excluding outsiders [from protection from dunning].

“Or his brother” (Dt. 15:2)— excluding the resident alien [from protection from dunning]

“For you have declared a Release-year from HASHEM” (Dt. 15:2)— [the release of debts may be declared wherever you may be,] whether in the Land or beyond the Land.