51 – The Mitzvah of Lending / Chapter Nine

L. Once the first day passed and the employer did not pay the worker regardless of whether the employer transgressed bal talinor not (such as he did not have the funds at the time)], the employer will not transgress this prohibition any further, even if he withholds the wages for many days. Nevertheless, whenever he does become capable of paying but withholds the wages, he transgresses a Rabbinic prohibition, as is written in the Book of Mishlei: Do not tell your neighbor, “Leave and come back; tomorrow I will give it,” when it is already by you (Mishlei 3:28).