Commentary for Bava Metzia 149:11

<big><strong>מתני׳</strong></big> אומר אדם לחבירו נכש עמי ואנכש עמך עדור עמי ואעדור עמך ולא יאמר לו נכש עמי ואעדור עמך עדור עמי ואנכש עמך

HILLEL, HOWEVER, FORBADE [EVEN THIS]. R. Nahman said in Samuel's name: The <i>halachah</i> agrees with Hillel's ruling. The law is nevertheless not in accordance with him.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Sc., R. Nahman in Samuel's name. ');">⁹</span> AND THUS HILLEL USED TO SAY, A WOMAN MUST NOT LEND, etc. Rab Judah said in Samuel's name: This is Hillel's view, but the Sages maintain, One may borrow and repay unconditionally. Rab Judah also said in Samuel's name: The members of a company who are particular with each other<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., members of a company at one table, each of whom has his own provisions, and when one borrows from another, are particular to weigh, measure, or count, that the exact quantity may be returned. ');">¹⁰</span> transgress [the prohibition of] measure, weight, number, borrowing and repaying on the Festival,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' On a Festival one may borrow from his neighbour, but not by weight, measure or number. Likewise, he may not use the terms 'lend' and 'repay', for these belong to monetary transactions. Now Rab Judah observes, when members of a company are particular with each other, they are likely to be led into the transgression of these prohibitions. ');">¹¹</span> and, according to Hillel, usury too.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When members of a company are not particular with each other, and one borrows and returns the same amount after it has advanced, there is no usury, since neither cares whether the exact amount is returned or not. But if they are particular, every change in value is scrupulously noted, and therefore, if it advances, there is usury. This does not refer particularly to Festivals. Since Rab Judah maintains that Hillel's ruling applies only to members who are particular with each other, it follows that neighbours, in respect of whom Hillel stated his view, are always so regarded. (Tosaf.) ');">¹²</span> Rab Judah also said in Samuel's name: Scholars may borrow from each other on interest. Why? Fully knowing that usury is forbidden, they merely present gifts to each other.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This refers only to a trifling matter, such as might be given in any case. (Tosaf.) [They are not as petty and niggardly in their relations to one another as those whose only common bond of interest is the dining table; v. Rappaport, J.H., Das Darlehen, p. 135.] ');">¹³</span> Samuel said to Abbuha b. Ihi: Lend me a hundred peppercorns for a hundred and twenty. And this is well.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., it is not usury. ');">¹⁴</span> Ran Judah said in Rab's name: One may lend to his sons and household on interest, in order to give them experience thereof.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'to let them know the taste of usury'; i.e., that they should know the bitterness and cankering cares of having to return more than is borrowed. ');">¹⁵</span> This, nevertheless, is incorrect, because he will come to cling thereto.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In teaching his children the dark side of interest, he himself will be impressed with its happy side-for the lender-and engage in it. ');">¹⁶</span> <b><i>MISHNAH</i></b>. A MAN MAY SAY TO HIS NEIGHBOUR, 'HELP ME TO WEED, AND I WILL HELP YOU; ASSIST ME TO HOE, AND I WILL ASSIST YOU.'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Though by the time he comes to reciprocate labour costs may have advanced. ');">¹⁷</span> BUT HE MAY NOT SUGGEST, 'DO YOU WEED WITH ME, AND I WILL HOE WITH YOU; DO YOU HOE WITH ME, AND I WILL WEED WITH YOU.'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' One may be more difficult than the other, and so there may be an appearance of usury. ');">¹⁸</span>

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