Question:
Hi,
Is it permissible to work for insurance or banking companies that do not use a Heter Iska (not owning the company, but only working for it)? Does this differ based on if the company is Jewish-owned?
Thank you!
Answer:
Hello,
If the bank is owned by non- Jews, then it is permitted to lend money from the bank, and there is no issue with having a job there. Even if the bank is Jewish owned, if they have a heter iska then it is fine. If it is Jewish owned and they don’t have a heter iska, then it would depend on the type of job, as not all jobs in a bank are involved in helping customers get interest bearing loans etc. Let us know what kind of job it is, and we can look into it for you.
Best wishes
Sources:
שולחן ערוך יורה דעה הלכות ריבית סימן קס סעיף א' "צריך ליזהר ברבית, וכמה לאוין נאמרו בו. ואפי' הלוה הנותנו והערב והעדים עוברים", וע"ש בבאר היטב יורה דעה סימן קס ס"ק א' "עוברים. כתב הגהת דרישה דגם הסופר עובר וכ"כ הרמב"ם וכתב עוד דכל מי שהוא סרסור בין מלוה ולוה או שסייע לא' מהן עובר משום לפני עור:"
Hi,
Thank you for answering!
In case of a Jewish-owned company without a Heter Iska: the role I was interested in is an Actuarial role. Is it permissible to work as an actuary in such a company?
Thank you very much!
That is fine and permitted. It isn't considered mesayeyah.
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