Returning a Loan Annulled in the Sabbatical Year
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Question
Hello, It is known that after the end of the Sabbatical year, loans are annulled. On the other hand, the Mishnah in Sheviit states that returning a debt during the Sabbatical year is pleasing to the sages. What I don't understand is, if the Torah commands the annulment of debts, why is it still possible and appropriate for a person to repay?
Answer
Hello
There are several explanations in the commentaries. We will present some of them.
A. He does good by not wanting to benefit from others' money.
B. By repaying, he causes people not to refrain from lending to others before the Sabbatical year.
C. The Torah is not concerned with non-payment, but only prohibits pressing the borrower.
Source
A. Melechet Shlomo (Sheviit, Chapter 10, Mishnah 9).
B - C. Mishnah Rishonah (ibid.).