Must I withdraw from saving to repay a debt to a friend, and a pledge to a Shul?

Question continued:

I owe money to a friend of mine, and also to a Shul which I pledged money to. I don’t currently make enough money to pay them back in the foreseeable future.

I have a retirement savings account with money to cover the debts, but there is a significant tax/penalty to withdraw the funds before retirement age (which is many years away).

Is there an obligation for me to withdraw money from my savings to pay back the debt?

 

Answer:

No, you do not need to pay the debt from your savings. However, if the Shul is nudging you for the money the Halacha may be different.

May Hashem bless you with an abundance of money that you will be able to be the lender, not the borrower.

 

Sources:

ראה רמ”א יו”ד רנז, ג. ש”ך סק”ז.

 

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