The argument that I heard was “historically, jews weren’t allowed in many professions. But lending money was something they could do. So that’s how they got rich and with money comes power.” But I’m not sure whether that’s the ‘real’ reason…
Crucially, usury (i.e. lending money with interest) was something that Christians could not do. It was considered a sin. Judaism has no problem with it, though.
Since somebody is unlikely to lend you money for free, and loans were a service that people needed, Jewish lenders filled that void and became wealthy.
The argument that I heard was “historically, jews weren’t allowed in many professions. But lending money was something they could do. So that’s how they got rich and with money comes power.” But I’m not sure whether that’s the ‘real’ reason…
Crucially, usury (i.e. lending money with interest) was something that Christians could not do. It was considered a sin. Judaism has no problem with it, though.
Since somebody is unlikely to lend you money for free, and loans were a service that people needed, Jewish lenders filled that void and became wealthy.