Ever since the ancient times, people have been lending each other money. Just look at the Code of Hammurabi, one of the oldest deciphered writings in the world—carved thousands of years ago in 1754 BC to govern commercial interactions via fines and punishments. Law 88 says: If a merchant has given corn on loan, he may take 100 SILA of corn as interest on 1 GUR; if he has given silver on loan, he may take ⅙ shekel 6 grains as interest on 1 shekel of silver.55
