14 Jun 2022 6:25 pm
That's why I said the Middle Ages, before the Protestant reformation. Also, I am aware that the lending class among Jews was small but that remains the reason you see so many lending institutions that have Jewish backers. I'm not trying to be anti-Semitic with that insight. I just wanted to give out some factual information. The royalty of Europe probably have a lot of wealth too. Most of them are Christian, Catholic or Protestant.Xavier_Onassis » 14 Jun 2022, 5:22 pm » wrote: ↑ The Roman Catholic Church was opposed to Christians lending money at interest.
The Jews were prohibited from lending money at interest--- but to other Jews.
So economic development was very constrained until the Protestants came along.
I do not think that all Jews, or even most Jews, got rich from lending money.
Jews were permitted only a few careers, such as buying and selling used stuff, clothing in particular. From there tailoring became a common profession. They also pioneered the pawnshop business and that is how they got into the diamond cutting trade.
The less control the Church had over the people, the more careers opened up for Jews.
Nothing is easier than defending the status quo.