DEUT770 Do not refrain from lending money at the approach of the Shemitah year. Key concepts: Instill into our hearts positive traits of mercy and benevolence, and distance us from stinginess. Nothing does more to promote these goals than to lend one's money to the poor close to the Shemitah year, knowing full well that the loan might never be repaid. All who know very little about the ways of the Torah realize that when a Jew gives money for such needs, he winds up with more money, and if he refrains from such acts of kindness he only loses. As is known, Hashem judges a person according to his deeds, and He bestows His blessing upon him according to the degree that person is benevolent towards others. If a person acquires the trait of stinginess, it throws up an iron wall between him and blessing from Heaven.