Shalom, Mitspacha!
You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.
- Vayiqra 19:13
When you make a vow to YHVH your Elohim, you shall not delay to pay it, for YHVH your Elohim will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you.
- Debarim 23:21
YHVH takes honesty in financial matters very seriously. Withholding what is owed, whether by oversight or intention, is seen as a form of robbery before Him. The Torah commands that wages, debts, and restitutions must be settled promptly, for delayed payment is injustice to those who depend upon it.
Sometimes we sin unintentionally, forgetting or overlooking what we owe. Yet even unintentional wrongdoing requires teshuvah and restitution, for YHVH’s justice measures both action and heart. Returning what was withheld restores not only fairness but also spiritual alignment - healing the breach between us and our neighbor.
Consider this: delaying payment is equivalent to temporarily taking possession of another’s life and labor without rightful exchange. When we make restitution, we acknowledge YHVH as the true Owner of all, demonstrating faith that He will supply even as we let go of what is not rightfully ours.
Abba YHVH, cleanse our hands and hearts from all forms of dishonesty. Teach us to deal uprightly in every transaction and to quickly make restitution for anything withheld.
May Your Ru’ach HaQodesh convict us when we err and strengthen us to walk in righteousness, showing mercy and fairness as You have shown to us.
Baruch YHVH.
YHVH bless you and keep you. YHVH make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. YHVH lift up His face toward you and give you shalom.
- Bemidbar 6:24-26
Baruch YHVH.
Shalom until tomorrow.