New Sefer Explores the Alter Rebbe on Hilchos Ribis

A welcome addition to the world of Torah scholarship has recently arrived in seforim stores with the publication of the fifth volume in the acclaimed Yesodei HaShulchan U’Zikukei Orosov series, authored by Rabbi Shmuel Zajac, a Magid Shiur at Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Morristown.

The sefer explores the halachos of Ribis (interest) and Iska (a halachically structured business investment arrangement), offering an in depth discussion of the prohibitions of Ribis in both loans and sales. Among the topics addressed are the halachos of paying in advance before a product’s market price has been established, arrangements in which one party stands to gain while bearing limited risk of loss, the structure of Iska and how it provides a halachically permissible framework for certain financial arrangements, cases where Ribis prohibited by Rabbinic law may be permitted for the sake of a Mitzvah, the Halachos of Tarsha (certain types of deferred payment sales), and much more.  

The uniqueness of this sefer lies in the author’s remarkable effort to uncover and explain, to the fullest extent possible, the depth and breadth of the Alter Rebbe’s words. As is well known, every word of the Alter Rebbe is written with extraordinary precision, concise expression, and profound depth. Through original analysis, penetrating sevaros, and numerous significant chiddushim, the author guides the reader through the underlying structure of the Alter Rebbe’s psak.

The sefer brings together two complementary components, each designed to guide the learner toward a deeper appreciation of the depth, precision, and underlying foundations of the Alter Rebbe’s rulings.

The first component, Yesodei HaShulchan, carefully analyzes the words of the Alter Rebbe, demonstrating how each phrase and expression is firmly rooted in the words of Chazal and the classic poskim, including the Gemara, Tosafos, Rosh, Tur, Beis Yosef, Shulchan Aruch, and Rema.

The complementary component, Zikukei Orosov, uncovers the deeper layers of the Alter Rebbe’s rulings, bringing to light his unique methodology in psak halacha and revealing the richness and depth embedded within his Torah, truly a wellspring without end.

The sefer will undoubtedly be of great benefit to Roshei Kollelim, Magidei Shiurim, and Talmidim studying Perek Eizehu Neshech and Hilchos Ribis, offering an opportunity to study the Alter Rebbe’s approach to these halachos as presented in his Shulchan Aruch, both in the clear explanation of the straightforward meaning of the sugya and in the elucidation of the deeper foundations of the halacha, all of which is presented with clarity and precision.

The sefer is available in seforim stores and directly from the author at [email protected].

Download a preview of the sefer.