אִם־כֶּסֶּף תַּלְוֶּה אֶּת־עַּמִי - When you lend money to My people... (Parshas Mishpatim, Shemos 22:24)
“Why do you look sad, Miriam?” asked Nechama as he walked into Miriam’s house. “I wanted to go for a Shabbos walk with you, but look what a downpour we have now!” explained Miriam.
“Oh I see. Well, it’s Shabbos. We shouldn’t be sad,” said Nechama.
“I know, I know,” said Miriam, “But what can I do? My emotions overtook me.”
Nechama started thinking of what she could do to gladden Miriam. Soon she came up with a plan. She thought to herself: “Last week, I lent some money to Miriam. If I forgive the loan now, that will sure make her happy!” But then she thought for a little more and started thinking that perhaps forgiving a loan is not permissible on Shabbos since it’s like a business transaction, and we’re not allowed to do business transactions on Shabbos.
Question: Can Nechama forgive the loan?
