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Leviticus 25:35-38

 

ויקרא פרק כה: לה-לח

Original Text:

וְכִי יָמוּךְ אָחִיךָ וּמָטָה יָדוֹ עִמָּךְ וְהֶחֱזַקְתָּ בּוֹ גֵּר וְתוֹשָׁב וָחַי עִמָּךְ:
אַל תִּקַּח מֵאִתּוֹ נֶשֶׁךְ וְתַרְבִּית וְיָרֵאתָ מֵאֱלֹהֶיךָ וְחֵי אָחִיךָ עִמָּךְ:
אֶת כַּסְפְּךָ לֹא תִתֵּן לוֹ בְּנֶשֶׁךְ וּבְמַרְבִּית לֹא תִתֵּן אָכְלֶךָ:
אֲנִי יְקֹוָק אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם לָתֵת לָכֶם אֶת אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן לִהְיוֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים:

Translation:

If your kinsman, being in straits, comes under your authority, and you hold him as though a resident alien, let him live by your side: do not exact from her advance (neshech) or accrued interest (tarbit), but fear your God. Let him live by your side as your kinsman. Do not lend her your money at advance interest (neshech), or give her your food at accrued interest (marbit). I the Lord am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, to be your God. [JPS translation. Edited for gender neutrality]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. Why are there specific laws about how to deal financially with "resident aliens?"
2. What does it mean to let resident aliens live as "your kinsmen?" What is the modern-day translation and application of these laws?
3. Why need God remind us of God's existence at the end of this ruling? What is the relationship between faith and treatment of resident aliens?

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    Related Texts:
    Leviticus 25:35-38
    Related Sourcesheets:Jewish Understandings of Business Ethics, The Jewish Response to Poverty

    Submitted By

    Naamahp

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