Question

This is a question from merchant of venice.

What is usury? Why were Christians forbidden by their

church to lend money at interest? What profession or

professions were European Jews allowed to practice during

the Renaissance?​

Answer 1

1)What is usury?

ans: Usury is the practice of making unethical or immoral monetary loans that unfairly enrich the lender. The term may be used in a moral sense—condemning, taking advantage of others' misfortunes—or in a legal sense, where an interest rate is charged in excess of the maximum rate that is allowed by law.

2)Why were Christians forbidden by their church to lend money at interest?

ans: The 18th century papal prohibition on usury meant that it was a sin to charge interest on a money loan. As set forth by Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century, because money was invented to be an intermediary in exchange for goods, it is unjust to charge a fee to someone after giving them money.

3)What profession or professions were European Jews allowed to practice during the Renaissance?

ans: Venetian laws restricted Jews from working in certain professions such as manufacturing, so they were forced into alternative professions. Fear of Jews was compounded by envy of their success as doctors, merchants and bankers.