The words are hidden now, but the answer is clear: Moneylending to those of the Christian faith is permissible
When he has finished eating the barley that Eliyahu has prepared, the old man — he has introduced himself as Yannai — struggles to his feet. He is smaller than he looked on the grass, more bent over. On the grass he looked ageless despite the white beard, but now he looks old. His eyes are set deeply in his face, so it is hard to read them, but they are still bright — now with curiosity and now with pain.
“Come, Harav Yannai, I will help you on your way. You are coming from Tzefat, is that true? You have wandered far to end up in this forgotten place.”
Yannai grips his arm, his hand trembling. “Oh, I do not believe I got lost. Well, I did not know my way, certainly. But I was led here, from above. Though I am no rav, and I would thank you to call me by my name.”
“You lost your way,” Eliyahu repeats firmly.
“Do you not pray? Do you not say the blessing, who prepares the footsteps of man?”
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