In order to obtain food for their families, the poor were obliged to buy on credit and at exorbitant prices. They were also compelled to raise money by borrowing on interest to pay the heavy taxes imposed upon them by the kings of Persia. To add to the distress of the poor, the more wealthy among the Jews had taken advantage of their necessities, thus enriching themselves.

For at skaffe føde til deres familier var de fattige nødt til at købe på kredit til urimelige priser. De var også tvunget til at låne penge til høje renter for at kunne betale de store skatter, som perserkongerne krævede. De fattiges lod blev endnu mere bitter, fordi de velhavende jøder udnyttede situationen i berigelsesøjemed.