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Can I find the laws of usury in the Old Testament?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

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Certainly. The Torah discusses the prohibition against taking interest in many places: Exodus 22:24; Leviticus 25:36-37; and Deuteronomy 23:20-21. (See also Ezekiel 18:8-17; 22:12; Psalms 15:5; and Proverbs 28:8).

As is the case with most laws of the Torah, to gain a full understanding of the laws of ribit (usury) it is necessary to study the topic as it is explained on the Oral Law. The laws of ribit are discussed at length in the Code of Jewish Law, Yoreh De'ah 159-177.

As is the case with most laws of the Torah, to gain a full understanding of the laws of ribit (usury) it is necessary to study the topic as it is explained on the Oral Law

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Halacha

Posted by: x ben x on May 17, 2006

Is it prohibited for a gentile to charge interest to a Jew? To a non-Jew?

Editor's Comment

Both are permitted.

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Torah

Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.

Oral Law

G–d orally explained all the 613 Commandments to Moses. These explanations constitute the Oral Law.

Ezekiel

1. Major Jewish prophet who lived in the 5th century BCE. 2. One of the 24 books of the Bible, containing the prophecies which Ezekiel transmitted.

Psalms

The Book of Psalms. One of the 24 books of the Bible. Compiled by King David; mostly comprised of poetic praise for G-d. A large part of our prayers are culled from this book.

Proverbs

One of the 24 books of the Bible. A collection of moral writings authored by King Solomon.

Exodus

1. The miraculous departure of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage in 1312 BCE. 2. The second of the Five Books of Moses. This book describes the aforementioned Exodus, the giving of the Torah, and the erection of the Tabernacle.

Leviticus

The third of the Five Books of Moses. This book deals with the service (of the Levite Tribe) in the Tabernacle, and contains many of the 613 commandments.

Deuteronomy

The fifth of the Five Books of Moses. This book is a record of the monologue which Moses spoke to the Israelites in the five weeks prior to his passing.