Judaism and Interest

Although in many passages the Old Testament forbids that interest be charged, many instances were this prohibition was disregarded can be found in Jewish history. Many historical explanations can be offered as to why this prohibition was not always followed. Careful attention should be paid to the particular instances when it was, and the laws and transactions developed that offered alternatives to interest, as well as manipulations to avoid the usury law, in order to better understand the consequences of these events.