Vayikra 25:37

37 Thou shalt not lend him thy kesef at neshekh, nor give him thy food for increase.

Vayikra 25:37 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 25:37

Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury
Lend him money, expecting and insisting upon a large interest for it; this is to be understood of persons in poor and necessitous circumstances, of which the text only speaks; otherwise, if persons borrow money to gain by it, to carry on a greater trade, or to make purchase with it, it is but reasonable that the lender should have a share of profit arising from thence: nor lend him thy victuals for increase;
by which it should seem that those two words, used in ( Leviticus 25:36 ) , though in the main they signify the same thing, yet may be distinguished, the one as concerning money, the other food; and which latter is not to be given by way of loan to a person in want of it, but freely; as for instance, if a man gives a poor man a bushel of wheat, on condition he gives him two for it hereafter, this is lending or giving his victuals for increase.

Vayikra 25:37 In-Context

35 And if thy brother become poor, and his hand fails with thee; then thou shalt strengthen him; yea, though he be a ger, or a toshav; that he may live among thee.

36 Take thou no neshekh of him, or increase; but fear Eloheicha; that thy brother may live among thee.

37 Thou shalt not lend him thy kesef at neshekh, nor give him thy food for increase.

38 I am Hashem Eloheichem, which brought you forth out of Eretz Mitzrayim, to give you Eretz Kena’an, and to be Elohim unto you.

39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee become poor, and be sold unto thee, thou shalt not compel him to do avodat eved;