Q&A: Lending at Interest to a Non-Jew
Lending at Interest to a Non-Jew
Question
In Bava Metzia 70b it says that a Jew who borrows at interest from another Jew violates both a positive commandment and a prohibition. What about a Jew who borrows from a non-Jew without interest—does he violate a positive commandment? Or perhaps, if he is already borrowing with interest, he should have done so through a non-Jew, and by doing it through a Jew he also violated a positive commandment. What happens if two Jews are on a deserted island, and one lends to the other at interest (regardless of the circumstances)—does he violate a positive commandment there as well? (After all, there are no non-Jews around him.)
Thank you
Answer
I didn’t understand the question. What is the problem with borrowing from a non-Jew without interest?
On a deserted island, of course they also violate the positive commandment. There is no need for there to be a practical option to borrow at interest. Borrow without interest.
Discussion on Answer
Just noting that I got confused (apparently) in understanding the Talmudic passage, and so the wording also came out incorrectly.
In any case, your answer addressed my question.
If someone trades in Sabbatical-year produce when he has no other produce or cannot eat it, he violates “for eating and not for commerce.” This is a prohibition inferred from a positive commandment.