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Teaching the Holocaust and other Genocides

Moneylenders and Usurers

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Usury is the act of lending money at an interest rate that is considered unreasonably high or that is higher than the rate permitted by law. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (the three Abrahamic faiths) take a very strong stance against usury. Several passages in the Old Testament condemn the practice of usury, especially when lending to less wealthy individuals. In the Jewish community, this created the rule of lending money at interest only to outsiders. The Old Testament’s condemnation of usury also led to the Christian tradition against moneylending. In the Middle Ages, since Jews were prohibited from owning land or being part of a guild, out of necessity Jews became moneylenders or usurers, or tax and rent collectors. Jews become associated with money and are characterized as greedy or cheap. 

Moneylenders

Jewish moneylenders, as depicted in a 13th century Spanish illustration

Discussion Questions:

1. Why did the Jews tolerate being moneylenders or tax and rent collectors? 

2. What effect did being in these positions have on the Jews’ status in medieval society? 

Sources

Almog, S. (1988). Antisemitism through the ages. Published For The Vidal Sassoon International Center For The Study Of Antisemitism, The Hebrew University Of Jerusalem, By Pergamon Press.

Beller, S. (2015). Antisemitism : a very short introduction. Oxford University Press.

Brustein, W. I., & Professor William Brustein. (2003). Roots of Hate. Cambridge University Press.

Eban, A. (1968). My People: The Story of the Jews. Random House.

Goldstein, P., Evans, H., & Facing History And Ourselves National Foundation. (2012). A convenient hatred : the history of antisemitism. Facing History And Ourselves.

Laqueur, W. (2006). The changing face of antisemitism : from ancient times to the present day. Oxford University Press.

Shaheed, Ahmed. (2019). Elimination of all forms of religious tolerance: note/ by the Secretary General. https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Religion/A_74_47921ADV.pdf

Wistrich, R. S. (1992). Antisemitism : the longest hatred. Thames Mandarin.

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