Timeless rules of exchange. Judaism. 📜🗺️

In Judaism, an exchange, as a direct form of exchange of goods without the use of money, is mentioned in the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible) as a natural element of the economic life of antiquity. For example, the Book of Genesis tells how Isaac and Abimelech conclude contracts that include the barter of gifts and mutual obligations. Although the term "barter" in its modern meaning is not used, in essence, these were forms of contractual exchange based on the consent of the parties. Judaism places great emphasis on honesty and fairness in trade and exchange. The Torah contains clear instructions: "You shall not deceive one another" (Leviticus 25:14) and "You shall have honest scales and honest measures" (Leviticus 19:36). These principles apply both to trade using money and to direct exchange. A barter transaction, from the point of view of Jewish law (halacha), is considered a full-fledged contract of sale and purchase, where an important element is the mutual consent of the parties and the fairness of the conditions. The Mishnah and Talmud, the key sources of the Oral Torah, discuss in detail various aspects of transactions, including barter. Judaism does not condemn the fact of material exchange itself but emphasizes that economic activity should serve ethical and socially useful purposes. Money and property are viewed as means given to man by God for service to his neighbor, society and the Almighty.