by David Frei, Director of External and Legal Services for the United Synagogue Exactly 600 years ago this week, on 5th Adar 5173 (7th February 1413), the longest ever medieval Disputation between Christians and Jews began, in the northern Spanish city of Tortosa.

by Rabbi Yisrael Malkiel. Chaplain, Cambridge & East Anglia Universities The sidrah begins immediately after the lofty scenes of Matan Torah, the giving of the Torah. On Mount Sinai, with voices, torches and smoke, G-d revealed Himself to us, spoke to us and gave us the Ten Commandments. As the sidrah of Mishpatim begins, we accept laws which are commanded in great detail, such as the laws of treating servants and employees and of damages for inflicting personal injuries. There is a sharp transition between on the one hand dealing with high, lofty concepts such as the revelation and the faith in one G-d and on the other hand immediately engaging in the dry details of human quarrels and conflicts.

When you lend money to My people... you shall not impose interest upon them. (Shemot 22:24) The above verse is one of many sources which prohibit lending money with interest. The word used for interest is neshech (lit. bite) which is one type of ribit – usury. Just as a snake bite begins as a small wound but quickly inflames, so too as the compound interest gradually accrues, it becomes a vast debt (Rashi d.1105, ibid).