Deuteronomy 23:19-20
“You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest. To a foreigner you may lend on interest; but to your brother you shall not lend on interest, that Yahweh your God may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land where you go in to possess it.”
This passage is part of the Deuteronomic law, delivered by Moses to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. It sets out rules for how the community should function, emphasizing solidarity and distinctive practices within the covenant people.
What does it mean for a community to balance the needs of its members with the realities of economic exchange?