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Why does the Torah (תורה) forbid charging interest, and why use conditional language about lending? The shiur argues that the primary obligation is giving gifts to those in need, with loans serving only to preserve the borrower's dignity. This explains why interest is forbidden - there's no 'payment for waiting' when you've mentally given the money as a gift.
This shiur presents a revolutionary perspective on the Torah (תורה)'s laws regarding lending and the prohibition of interest (ribbis). The speaker addresses several fundamental questions: Why is charging interest forbidden when it seems logical to charge for the use of money? Why does the Torah use conditional language ('im kesef talveh') when commanding us to lend? Why do we need a special verse to prioritize lending to Jews over non-Jews? The core thesis challenges conventional understanding: the Torah's primary obligation is not to lend money, but to give gifts of money to those in need. The loan structure exists solely for the borrower's psychological comfort, allowing them to maintain dignity rather than feel the humiliation of charity. From the lender's perspective, every loan should be mentally structured as a gift.
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Shemos 22:24, Devarim 15:7-11
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