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concerning a man who suffered a heart attack after sustaining a mon-
etary loss. He writes there:

“Last Thursday I received word that ploni needs great mercy be-
cause he had a heart attack, Hashem yeracheim [may Hashem have
mercy] and I was shocked because this apparently means that he lost
his case against his oppressors. May Hashem have mercy on him
and issue His word and heal him completely, in both mind and body
and repay his loss many times over. It would be correct to speak to
him soothingly, assuring him that whatever the Merciful One does
is for the best and telling him, ‘Does Hashem yisbarach’s Hand lack
the power to save him and restore his former wealth and success in
even greater measure?!’ He should place his trust in his Creator that
with Hashem yisbarach’s help everything will turn out for the best and
will be a blessing and his present suffering is an altar that atones like
sacrifices.”

Thus, as mentioned above, devout communal workers should
come to him and speak to him warmly and encourage him so that
he doesn’t give way when his assets are sold to pay off his debts. To
turn him over to the official debt collection agency though, with their
callous attitude toward debtors, is certainly forbidden. Although it is
written,“No mercy is shown when exacting judgment” (Kesubos 84a),
this does not refer to a situation where there is danger to life.

The physician must therefore approach the beis din and inform
them that Shimon is a heart patient and that they should proceed
accordingly.4



4. See earlier, siman 22, as to whether a debtor’s apartment is sold in order to repay
his debts.

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