ABSTRACT
The fundamental ruling on usury for both Judaism and medieval Christianity is a Biblical statement found in the book of Deuteronomy, which reads, “You must not lend on interest (neshekh) to your brother, whether the loan be of money or food or anything else that may earn interest” (23:19-20).1 This passage is supported by another in Exodus, “If you lend money to any of my (i.e. Yahweh’s) people, to any poor man among you, you must not play the usurer with him: you must not demand interest (neshekh) from him” (2 2:24-2 5),2 as well as one from Leviticus, “If your brother who is living with you falls on evil days and is unable to support himself with you, you must support him as you would a stranger or a guest, and he must continue to live with you. Do not make him work for you, do not take interest (tarbit3) from him; fear God, and let your brother live with you. You are not to lend him money at interest (neshekh), or give him food to make a profit out of it” (25:35-37).4
