Ribbis: Matters of Interest

Learning With The Lender

Reuven
borrowed money from Shimon, and Shimon used the opportunity to inquire if
Reuven would want to setup a chavrusa session with him. Is this an issue of
ribbis?

The Shulchan
Aruch writes that a borrower may
not tutor the lender, nor the lender’s son, unless he had been doing so
previously. Some poskim write that this is forbidden
even if the lender has other chavrusa opportunities.

It is possible, however, that this
only applies to tutoring, which is usually done for money or as a favor, and
not to learning chavrusa-style in yeshivah, which is
normally done without payment.

However, if he definitely would
have not selected him as a chavrusa it would not be permitted.

It is important to note that where
Shimon clearly expresses his desire to study with Reuven as a condition for the loan, it would be
forbidden under all circumstances. Hence, it is
important to avoid mentioning this, even in casual connection to the loan
(“Okay, I’ll lend you money, but please learn with me…”).