The Ari’s Donkey: A Story About Debts and the Soul

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, one of the great Torah leaders of our generation, would often give guidance to those running gemachs, free loan societies where people can borrow money without interest. One thing he strongly advised was not to keep unpaid promissory notes, also known as shtaros chov, in their files.

He explained his reason: “In the teachings of the Ari Hakadosh (the holy Arizal), it says that if someone passes away with unpaid debts, their soul may need to return to this world through gilgul—reincarnation. Even more, the person who lent them the money might also need to come back so the debt can be repaid. That’s why it’s so important not to hold onto these old documents.”

Then Rabbi Kanievsky shared an incredible story from the life of the Ari Hakadosh, the great Kabbalist of Tzfat (Safed).

“One time,” Rabbi Kanievsky said, “the Ari was staying at the home of a very wealthy man. While he was there, the Ari made a surprising request. He wanted to see the man’s stables.

The wealthy man was puzzled, but he politely led the Ari to the stables. The Ari looked around carefully, then pointed to one of the donkeys and said, ‘Would you be willing to give me this donkey?’

The man was shocked. ‘That donkey? I’m sorry, I can’t. That one is stronger than the rest. It works like a team of animals and brings me tremendous profit.’ The Ari didn’t argue. He said nothing more and followed the man back to the house.

Once inside, the Ari asked to see the man’s collection of promissory notes, documents that proved others owed him money. The wealthy man brought out a large stack. ‘This one is from a neighbor,’ he said. ‘That one is from a rich man in the next town who’s fallen on hard times.’

The Ari sorted through the stack until he found an old, worn-out note. ‘And what’s this one?’ he asked.

‘Oh, that? It’s from a Jew who passed away years ago. There’s no way I’ll ever get that money back,’ the man replied.

‘Would you give it to me as a gift?’ asked the Ari. The man agreed without hesitation. The Ari took the note and calmly tore it to pieces.

Then he looked at the man and said, ‘Now go check on your donkey.’

The man hurried back to the stable and returned moments later, stunned. ‘The donkey is dead! I don’t understand. It was strong and healthy, the best I had.’

The Ari looked at him gently. ‘That donkey,’ he said, ‘contained the soul of your deceased debtor. He was sent back to this world to repay you, just as you were meant to receive payment. But now that you’ve forgiven the debt and torn the note, his soul has been freed. It no longer needs to stay in this world. He has returned to the heavenly court in peace.’”

Rabbi Kanievsky would tell this story to show how deeply connected we are, not only in this life but beyond it. Unpaid debts don’t just affect our bank accounts. They can weigh on the soul. That’s why, he would teach, we must be extra careful about money matters. We should always do our best to repay what we owe, and if we are in the position of lending, to act with compassion.

Sometimes, forgiving a debt doesn’t just bring peace between people, it can bring peace to a soul.

Courtesy of the Dirshu website