Page "Usury" Paragraph 12

Israelites were forbidden to charge interest on loans made to other Israelites, but allowed to charge interest on transactions with non-Israelites, as the latter were often amongst the Israelites for the purpose of business anyway, but in general, it was seen as advantageous to avoid getting into debt at all to avoid being bound to someone else.

Debt was to be avoided and not used to finance consumption, but only when in need.

However, the laws against usury were among the many which the prophets condemn the people for breaking.