Responsa for Bava Metzia 150:4
ואלו עוברין בלא תעשה המלוה והלוה והערב והעדים וחכמים אומרים אף הסופר עוברים משום (ויקרא כה, לז) לא תתן ומשום (ויקרא כה, לו) אל תקח מאתו ומשום (שמות כב, כד) לא תהיה לו כנושה ומשום (שמות כב, כד) ולא תשימון עליו נשך ומשום (ויקרא יט, יד) ולפני עור לא תתן מכשול ויראת מאלהיך אני ה'
THOU SHALT NOT BE TO HIM AS AN USURER,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ex. XXII, 24. ');"><sup>7</sup></span> NEITHER SHALL YE LAY UPON HIM USURY,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid. ');"><sup>8</sup></span>
Teshuvot Maharam
Q. A claims that B lent him money on a pledge, and that when he came to redeem the pledge B exacted interest from him. Since he had contracted the loan directly from B, the latter was not allowed to take any interest on this loan. A, therefore, demands that B pay him back the interest. B, on the other hand, claims that the loan was originally contracted through a Gentile intermediary and that he was entitled, therefore, to the interest.
A. It is assumed that a person who might have gained an advantage by following a certain legal procedure, did not fail to follow such procedure. Since B could legally have been entitled to interest on his money had he granted the loan through a Gentile intermediary, we assume that he did grant the loan through such intermediary. Therefore, B is entitled to his interest and is not required to take an oath.
SOURCES: L. 197.
A. It is assumed that a person who might have gained an advantage by following a certain legal procedure, did not fail to follow such procedure. Since B could legally have been entitled to interest on his money had he granted the loan through a Gentile intermediary, we assume that he did grant the loan through such intermediary. Therefore, B is entitled to his interest and is not required to take an oath.
SOURCES: L. 197.
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