Responsa for Bava Metzia 150:7
תניא ר"ש אומר מלוי רבית יותר ממה שמרויחים מפסידים ולא עוד אלא שמשימים משה רבינו חכם ותורתו אמת ואומרין אילו היה יודע משה רבינו שיהיה ריוח בדבר לא היה כותבו
but unto thy brother thou shalt offer no usury,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid. 21. Alfasi and the Asheri Omit this, and Maim.'s text likewise appears to have omitted it. ');"><sup>12</sup></span> and thou shalt not put a stumbling block before the blind. The Surety and the witness: only, neither shall ye lay upon him usury.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., take no part in a transaction which imposes usury. ');"><sup>13</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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