An Introduction to Jewish Law
An Introduction to Jewish Law
Jewish law is a singular legal system that has been evolving for generations. Often conflated with Biblical law or Israeli law, Jewish law needs to be studied in its own right. An Introduction to Jewish Law expounds the general structure of Jewish law and presents the cardinal principles of this religious legal system. An introduction to modern Jewish law as it applies to the daily life of Jews around the world, this volume presents Jewish law in a way that answers all the questions that a student of comparative law would ask when encountering an unfamiliar legal system. Sources of Jewish law such as revelation, rabbinical and communal legislation, judicial decisions, and legal reasoning are defined and analyzed, and the authority of who decides what Jewish law is and why their decisions are binding is investigated.
- Written in clear and simple language that avoids technicalities, and the central concepts are explained and defined
- Offers a multi-language bibliography that will allow the reader to deepen all fields that the book develops
- Draws from Rabbinic literature and from the outstanding scholarly literature dedicated to Jewish law
Reviews & endorsements
'This penetrating essay will stimulate new research on Jewish law while also providing an invaluable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate courses – on Jewish law, on comparative law, and on religion and law. With rigorous attention to legal methodologies, and with well-chosen and wide-ranging bibliographies for all topics, the essay presents a refreshing account of the unfolding of Talmudic law as a field of study.' George R. Wilkes, Jewish Law Association
'Dr Licari has written an excellent and concise introduction to Jewish law for the reader of English. He provides a masterful overview of the basic jurisprudence of this very unique religious legal system. Many would benefit from reading this work.' Michael J. Broyde, Emory University, Atlanta
'This concise, well-written (if dense), and often brilliant study is far more than its modest title would suggest.' L. D. Loeb, Choice
Product details
May 2019Paperback
9781108433112
176 pages
227 × 151 × 10 mm
0.28kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Jewish law as a subject for study
- 2. Jewish law as a religious legal order
- 3. The sources of Jewish law
- 4. Halachic authority
- 5. Hermeneutics
- 6. Jewish law and the law of nations: the administration of legal pluralism.
