This begs the question: why is charging interest such a severe sin? Why is it that even if the amount of interest is trivial and the borrower doesn't mind, it remains strictly prohibited? Interest doesn't seem to be a cruelty. On the contrary; in today's society, charging interest is normal and even beneficial. Ask anyone who recently got approved for a mortgage and they will express their happiness that a bank agreed to supply the full amount of cash necessary to purchase their homes in exchange for monthly payments with nominal interest, that can be paid over the course of many years. Additionally, if charging interest is indeed unfair or cruel, why is it that we are allowed to charge non-Jews interest? We are supposed to be a light unto the nations and surely can't act unfairly or cruelly to any other human being.

A member of the chessed organization "Ahavas Yisrael" offers the following beautiful answer: In reality, charging nominal interest is neither cruel nor unfair. Why then is it so severely prohibited? This prohibition is not intended to forbid a particular action as much as it is intended to prohibit a particular mentality. Imagine that you have a sibling with whom you are very close. Unfortunately, this sibling is struggling financially, while you have plenty of money in the bank. When he or she approaches you and requests a loan to help him or her get through their tough situation, who in the world would even CONSIDER allowing them to pay back the loan with interest? Even though it is normal to charge reasonable interest to a stranger, you would never ever consider doing so to a struggling family member. It is for this reason that the Torah prohibits charging one’s fellow Jew interest. These laws are intended to instill within us one crucial and vital understanding: all Jews are FAMILY. Not just "distant relative” family; rather, loyal and immediate family. It is for this reason that even the most nominal amount of interest is prohibited, regardless of whether or not the borrower minds - because family never charges family interest. Ever. It is also for this reason that it's only prohibited to charge a Jew interest, for while we must always be kind and fair to non-Jews, we do not share a familial relationship with them.

Living Inspired

The myriad of sensitive laws that prohibit charging a fellow Jew interest are intended to teach you just how far you must go to regard every Jew as your sibling and not just a stranger who lives down the block. In fact, EVERY interpersonal commandment is intended to drive this single lesson home. Indeed, when Hillel was asked to sum up the entire Torah in one sentence he answered: "that which you hate, don't do to others”, an Aramaic paraphrase of the command to "LOVE your neighbor" (Shabbos 31a and Maharsha there). Although how this command encapsulates the mitzvos between man and G-d requires an explanation, one thing is clear: The purpose of all interpersonal mitzvos is not simply to do kind acts for our fellow Jew. Rather, as demonstrated by Hillel’s words and the prohibition of interest, it is to strengthen and encourage genuine emotions of love and care for every Jew.

If we spend our lifetimes being scrupulous with interpersonal mitzvos in a passive manner, and never put effort into acquiring a true sense of love for every Jew within our hearts, we have arguably not yet fulfilled even a single interpersonal mitzvah. Learning to relate to every Jew with the same non-judgemental, accepting and caring manner as one does for a close sibling isn't simply an "extra credit" pursuit. Rather, it is the sole litmus test in whether or not you are succeeding in fulfilling the interpersonal mitzvos. While it may take a lifetime to master, it is well worth the commitment of spending one’s lifetime to doing so. For, in the words of Hillel, someone who succeeds in this area has succeeded in fulfilling the entire Torah. This is no simple praise and is one that should earn our unwavering commitment to accomplish.