No Interest

Parshat בהר, in its discussion on money matters, emphasized the prohibition of taking interest. The subject is introduced in connection with one who is impoverished.

A poor person is the most likely individual to need a loan. Interest is referred to as ריבית, but is also called, נשך, which means to take a bite out of someone. It is hard enough for a poor person to pay back a loan, but to add interest makes it that much more difficult.

There is also the concept of אבק ריבית, translated as the “dust of interest.” We are commanded to stay away from anything that might even look like receiving some kind of benefit for a loan that was given.

There is a story told of the חתם סופר, who gave a loan to a wealthy merchant, that had fallen on hard times. This loan allowed him to get back on his feet in a big way. As a token of gratitude, the merchant gave the חתם סופר a diamond as a token of gratitude. The saintly rabbi, refused the gift as he felt it would be a form of taking interest.

This Mitzva is one that we must take very seriously, as it is easy to fall into its trap.