LEV473 [Continued from [[LEV720]] Leviticus 19:18 vengeance AHAVCH 27-8.] If the person who asks for a loan is liable to be in danger if his request is refused, if he needs the money to prevent robbers attacking him, then whoever refuses to help in such a case would violate the additional prohibition of [this verse]: "Neither shall you stand idly by the blood of your neighbor." Here we have been warned against remaining indifferent to our friend when his life is in danger and we have the means to save him in one way or another. Furthermore according to the Mechilta (cited by the Rambam in his Sefer Hamitzvoth No. 297), this prohibition also applies to the case where one is aware of something which might cause loss to his neighbor and he is able to help prevent it. If he fails to help, he commits the transgression. This applies in our case too. If one knows that his friend, rich or poor, is liable to incur a substantial loss (as happens nowadays when a loan falls due, as is well known), and by a loan given now he can save his friend, then if he fails to help he violates this prohibition.