Two Halachot a Day: Financial Integrity, Helping Others Grow, and Lechem Mishneh

Two daily halachot from BeHalachah U’BeAggadah, based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

What Should You Do If You Have a Financial Dispute With Someone?

Our Sages teach: If a measure is filled with sins, theft is the first to prosecute. This includes taking interest from another person when it is forbidden by halachah.

Similarly, someone who has a financial dispute with another person should not simply decide for himself that he is entitled to keep the money in question. A person naturally has difficulty seeing his own faults objectively. Instead, he should present his arguments to a distinguished rabbi who is knowledgeable in monetary law and ask whether he is obligated to return the money.

Even if the other person is not demanding payment, one still has an obligation to fulfill his responsibility before Heaven and should consult a Torah scholar who is qualified to rule on such matters.

What Is the Great Merit of Helping Others Grow Spiritually?

There is a tremendous merit in making a sincere effort to benefit others, particularly by helping them grow spiritually and drawing them closer to their Jewish roots through Shabbat observance, family purity, and other mitzvot.

The merit of helping others can multiply a person's own merits many times over and help tip the scales in his favor when he is judged before Hashem.

During these days, one should also pray for relatives and acquaintances who have strayed from the path of Torah and mitzvot. Their names may be mentioned during the Amidah in the blessing of Hashiveinu Avinu LeToratecha (“Return us, our Father, to Your Torah”), with a prayer that Hashem pour upon them a spirit of holiness and purity from Above, inspire them to return in teshuvah, and turn their hearts toward love and awe of Him.

One should pray especially for close relatives and family members. These are days of Divine mercy and favor, when Hashem's hand is extended to welcome those who return to Him.

Daily Concept: Lechem Mishneh

It is a mitzvah to begin the Shabbat and Yom Tov meals with two whole challahs or loaves of bread. This practice is known as lechem mishneh, meaning “double bread.”

The term originates from the manna in the Torah. On Fridays, the Jewish people received a double portion in preparation for Shabbat: “And it came to pass on the sixth day that they gathered a double portion of bread, two omers for each person...” (Exodus 16:22)

The two loaves used at the Shabbat table commemorate that double portion of manna that Hashem provided each Friday in honor of Shabbat.