4. There is no explicit source in Halacha regarding the limits of how much money one must lend of his funds. On the one hand, it is not like tzedaka where there is a limit of giving no more than one-fifth of one’s resources – since in the case of a loan the money will return to the lender. But on the other hand, it is not reasonable to say that one would have to lend all his resources that he does not need for daily use – for it is possible that he will need it [unexpectedly] for some business opportunity but [because of all the loans he gave out] he will not have any cash with which to work. It therefore seems that it is dependent on each individual’s means, and whatever one can do for the benefit of his fellow, he should do.
5. The correct amount to lend to a poor person is whatever sum the poor person needs, if the lender can afford it, as is written: [you shall lend him his requirement,] ‘whatever is lacking to him’ (Devarim 15:8).
