Ribbis (Interest) Archives

Playing Monopoly: Are you allowed to charge interest (Ribbis) on a loan in a game?

The Gemara teaches us that a father should not lend money to his children with Ribbis, due to the concern that they will become accustomed to this. It would…

Sneaking in Tzedaka through loan payments

Question: Hi, I have a family member that lent me money a while back and is currently in need of tzedaka. While I don't have extra money beyond our…

Is it Ribbis if someone borrowed a book from me, and returned it along with a chocolate?

Question: Someone borrowed a book from me, in one instance they gave it back with a thank-you card, in another with a chocolate. Is this Ribbis? Do I have…

Ribbis (Interest) on a flashlight battery

Question: I borrowed a flashlight from a friend and I used it too much till it died, so I bought new batteries to return. Is there a problem with…

Questions About Stocks

Question: What is the Rebbe's opinion on stocks, like mutual funds? Is there an issue of Ribbis in that? (How about when the money is being invested by a…

A friend asked if I can pick up something for her while shopping for groceries, I told her it was $9.49 and she sent me $9.50 via Cash App. Is that considered Ribbis?

In general one may add a couple of pennies, provided both of the following conditions are met: 1. It is an insignificant amount, that neither the borrower nor the…

What is the Chabad position on purchasing State of Israel Bonds?

There might be serious halachic issues involving the prohibition of ribbis. Poskim have dealt with this issue and suggested various approaches. See also here about the general topic of…

I put a 2/3 down payment on my credit card for a Pesach program in Israel. Due to the medical rules, the program is cancelled. Does the organizer owe me the down payment back? Can I negotiate to apply the down payment towards a greater share in next year’s program (e.g. 4/5, or complete) or is it a problem of ribis?

This response is only on a general level and various technicalities can change the result of the answer. For example one needs to see what was written on the…

א. האם מותר להשקיע במניות של ישראלים שאינם שומרי שבת? ב. האם מותר לקנות מניות של גוי שמוכר טריפות (ויכול להיות שימכור לישראל שאינו שומר תומ”צ)? ג. האם יש בהשקעות בכלל איסור ריבית? ד. האם יש ספר או מאמר שכבוד הרב מציע על דיני השקעה?

א. בעייתי. ב. אפשר. ג. אם יודע בוודאי שמלווים בריבית בעייתי. ד. יש אתר שלם בנושא - של מכון כת"ר - באתר הנ״ל נראה שנוטים יותר לקולא בהרבה פרטים. וראה במקורות…

Is this a solution for paying a babysitter on Shabbos?

Full Question: I had a babysitter on Thursday night, Friday night, and Shabbos day. We never agreed on the amount of money paid per hour. Can I tell her…

I asked a family member for a large loan and he was not able to give me one. However, he offered to give me from his bank (home equity) line of credit which charges interest of approximately 6%. I assured him that any interest charges he incurs I will repay so that he does not lose anything for giving me the loan. We want to ask if there is any problem with doing this?

The loan was for a little over a month and the repayment would be sent directly to his bank, not to him. Answer: If the bank holds your…

האם מותר למכור ספרים בהנחה במכירה מוקדמת (לפני ההדפסה) כשאח”כ המחיר עולה? או שיש בזה בעיה של ריבית

.אסור משום אבק ריבית .יש כמה אפשרויות לעשות את זה באופן מותר, עיין במ"מ Sources: .שו"ע אדהז הלכות ריבית סעיף כ"ג בנוגע לכל סחורה והוא הדין כאן …

Can a Jew pay interest to another Jew when ordered by a court of law?

What happens if somebody buys your (a Jew's) bank note that you owe the bank and that person is a Jew himself (an attorney collection firm). Now he is suing…