Taking Interest: Difference between revisions

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# If neighbors have a good relationship and commonly borrow without being careful to return everything they borrow, then there is no prohibition of interest as the neighbors aren’t borrowing but rather gifting one another. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (vol 2, pg 348) quoting The Laws of Interest (pg 35)</ref>However, if neighbors do not such a relationship then a neighbor who borrows a half a bag of sugar is borrowed only that amount may be returned unless the amount difference is insignificant (about which people don’t care) <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (vol 2, pg 348) quoting Brit Yehuda (Siman 17 note 6)</ref> or if one is unsure how much one borrowed one may return an amount to be sure the loan is repaid. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (vol 2, pg 348) quoting Sh”t Minchat Yitzchak 9:88</ref>
# If neighbors have a good relationship and commonly borrow without being careful to return everything they borrow, then there is no prohibition of interest as the neighbors aren’t borrowing but rather gifting one another. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (vol 2, pg 348) quoting The Laws of Interest (pg 35)</ref>However, if neighbors do not such a relationship then a neighbor who borrows a half a bag of sugar is borrowed only that amount may be returned unless the amount difference is insignificant (about which people don’t care) <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (vol 2, pg 348) quoting Brit Yehuda (Siman 17 note 6)</ref> or if one is unsure how much one borrowed one may return an amount to be sure the loan is repaid. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (vol 2, pg 348) quoting Sh”t Minchat Yitzchak 9:88</ref>
# It is permitted for someone to borrow another Jew's credit card to pay for a purchase and repay them the amount spent. Even if the purchaser receives points from the credit card company, that isn't considered interest since it doesn't come from the borrower. Additionally, the borrower may not the purchaser for any interest fees that the purchaser may incur if he pays late.<ref>[http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5762/behar.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on torah.org] and [dinonline.org http://www.dinonline.org/2014/01/17/receiving-points-from-credit-card-loan/]</ref>
# It is permitted for someone to borrow another Jew's credit card to pay for a purchase and repay them the amount spent. Even if the purchaser receives points from the credit card company, that isn't considered interest since it doesn't come from the borrower. Additionally, the borrower may not the purchaser for any interest fees that the purchaser may incur if he pays late.<ref>[http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5762/behar.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on torah.org] and [dinonline.org http://www.dinonline.org/2014/01/17/receiving-points-from-credit-card-loan/]</ref>
#Some explain that a key factor in determining if something is considered a loan is whether the item is fungible and normally traded; if it is always traded to be kept that is a sale. Another factor that is used is whether the type of item being lent is similar to the item that is being returned; if they’re dissimilar it is like a sale.<ref>Biurim in Chelkat Binyamin 161:1 s.v. dvar wrote that there’s a machloket Chavot Daat and Mekor Mayim Chayim why a loan of slaves isn’t loan but a sale. Chavot Daat explains that since each slave is unique and needs a significant evaluation it is considered a sale when you trade one for two later. His premise is that there’s no prohibition of a loan of one item for another like apples for oranges. However, the Mekor Mayim Chaim explains that since a person doesn’t give a slave to be loaned out or traded (lhotzah) but rather to be used it isn’t considered or termed a loan but a sale.</ref>
#It is forbidden to charge interest for a rental.<ref>Teshuvot Maimoniyot 15 records the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer Mtuch that interest is permitted for a rental. His proof is Macot 3a. However, the Bet Yosef 160:21 disagrees with this opinion.</ref> It is forbidden to charge interest for wages of a worker.<ref>Gemara Bava Metsia 73a clarifies that there is interest for hiring a worker. Bet Yosef 160:21 clearly states this as well.</ref>
#There is no prohibition of ribbit upon the loveh whenever it is rabbinic ribbit.<ref>Nemukei Yosef b”m 39b s.v. garsinan, Ritva there, Darkei Moshe 160:2, Rama 160:1</ref>
==Rabbinic Prohibition of Interest==
==Rabbinic Prohibition of Interest==
# There are several different forms of interest that are prohibited only rabbinically. There are several practical differences if it is only rabbinic. For example, Rabbinic interest was not extended to charities. <ref> Shulchan Aruch and Rama YD 160:18 </ref> Additionally, one who receives biblical interest must return it but this does not apply to certain cases of rabbinic interest. <ref> Shulchan Aruch YD 161:2 </ref>
# There are several different forms of interest that are prohibited only rabbinically. There are several practical differences if it is only rabbinic. For example, Rabbinic interest was not extended to charities. <ref> Shulchan Aruch and Rama YD 160:18 </ref> Additionally, one who receives biblical interest must return it but this does not apply to certain cases of rabbinic interest. <ref> Shulchan Aruch YD 161:2 </ref>