למען יברכך ה' אלהיך. כי יעשה חסד עם אחיו כאשר ילונו בלא רבית ויחשב לו לצדקה וכן השמיטה חסד באחים ולכך אמר את הנכרי תגוש וקבע לו ברכה כי הכתוב לא הזכיר ברכה רק בצדקות וחסדים לא בגזל וגניבה ואונאה: למען יברכך ה' אלוקיך, “in order that the Lord your G’d will bless you;” by doing a deed of loving kindness with one’s brother, such as helping him with an interest-free loan, one acquires the merit that qualifies one to receive a special blessing by Hashem. It is considered צדקה, i.e. the same as if one had actually handed over money as alms, as a contribution to a charitable institution. Foregoing repayment of overdue loans at the end of the last year of the sh’mittah cycle is also an act of charity a requirement that only applies to one’s fellow Jew, because he is to be treated as one’s brother. This is why Moses follows this legislation up with the specific permission, or even commandment, according to many authorities, to charge interest on loans to gentiles, and, of course, permission to pay interest if we need to get a loan from gentiles. It is interesting that the Torah promises special blessings from Hashem only in connection with abstaining from charging interest, not when refraining from stealing, robbing, or overcharging unwary customers.