In Israel in the late 70s early 80s the currency (Lira) became worthless. Suppose one day the American dollar would become worthless, and one owes another $1,000,000- would the borrower just pay back 1 million worthless dollars? Or is there a responsibility to pay back the value (purchasing power perhaps) of the money when borrowed? (sources would be appreciated)
asked Dec 13, 2012 at 20:31
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31 million dollars becoming worthless? That's nothing. Looks what's been happening in Zimbabwe en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwean_dollar– Double AA ♦Commented Dec 13, 2012 at 21:27
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Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/q/11386/3– WAFCommented Dec 13, 2012 at 21:54
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1 Answer
Bava Kamma 97a/b, last line. Rav says you must pay back value, Shmuel says you can pay back even that currency and say "go spend it where it works". And even Shmuel only meant when you could get to such a place. I would presume that a with regards defunct currency that wont work anywhere, even Shmuel would agree that you must pay back value. The halachah (Choshen Mishpat 74:7) is like Shmuel.
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1איתמר המלוה את חבירו על המטבע ונפסלה המטבע רב אמר נותן לו מטבע היוצא באותה שעה ושמואל אמר יכול לומר לו לך הוציאו במישן אמר רב נחמן מסתברא מילתיה דשמואל דאית ליה אורחא למיזל למישן אבל לית ליה אורחא לא– mosesCommented Dec 14, 2012 at 0:49
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1Does this imply that someone must pay additional to account for inflation? Currency devaluation is just a matter of degree - so where is the line?– ArielCommented Dec 14, 2012 at 2:26
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1Perhaps the Halacha is different now. In those days coins had value - silver or gold - not like today's funny money. Commented Dec 14, 2012 at 13:55