Today is the 19th of Iyar, 5770 (34 days of Omer. 4 weeks, 6 days)
Some examples follow: It is forbidden to lend money in the form of an overpriced object.
Illustration: Nick asks Walter for a loan of $100. Walter suggests: “I don’t have $100 but I could ‘lend’ you my watch that is worth $100. Tomorrow you can sell it back to me for $95.”
Although this is not, strictly speaking, “Ribbit” it is nonetheless forbidden. It is likewise forbidden to “lease” cash. Leasing/renting objects is clearly permitted; however, because this can obviously serve as a loophole to evade the laws (and objectives) of Ribbit, Chakhamim forbade renting coins or bills.
Illustration: Nick needs to borrow $100. Walter tells him: “I will not ‘lend’ you the money. I will instead ‘rent’ you this $100 bill, for $5. You will return it to me when your ‘lease’ ends a month from today.”
Nick would really be paying $105 for a loan of $100. This is forbidden.
Note: the laws of “Ribbit” are very complex, especially in today’s corporate world of sophisticated financial and legal structures. Ours is a basic overview of the Halakha as found in Maimonides’s Mishne Tora and in Shulchan ‘Arukh. Please consult your rabbi with any practical questions (Halakha leMa’ase).