תלמוד בבלי בבא מציעא ס"א:
רבא אמר: מגופיה דקרא שמיע ליה מות יומת דמיו בו יהיה (יחזקאל י"ח:י"ג) הוקשו מלוי רבית לשופכי דמים
Rava said, “We learn this from the verse itself, '[He has lent at advance interest, or exacted accrued interest – shall he live? He shall not live! If he has committed any of these abominations,] he shall die; he has forfeited his life.' (Ezekiel 18:13) Usurers are compared to murderers.”
[Translation by Rabbi Steve Greenberg]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
Why is lending with interest such a severe crime?
How is it like murder?
Are there other crimes that people commit today that are similar?
Is lending with interest today this bad?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)