17 – The Mitzvah of Lending / Chapter One

2. The mitzvah of loaning is not limited to loans of money. Lending (all sorts of) items is also included, because it all stems from the attribute of chessed-kindness. The only difference (between lending money and objects) is that with regard to lending money there is a special positive commandment, as noted earlier.

3. This mitzvah, of lending items, applies even if it is a wealthy person who wishes to borrow it. Nevertheless, when a poor person comes to borrow an item, there is a greater obligation to lend it to him, for perhaps he does not currently have the money to purchase these tools that he needs.