Crime and Punishment in Jewish Law: Essays and Responsa (Studies in Progressive Halakhah, V. 6) [Paperback]

Walter Jacob (Editor), Moshe Zemer (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Studies in Progressive Halakhah, V. 6 | Publication Date: April 2000

The Bible presents only a small portion of the laws necessary for a state to function. Nevertheless, whole tractates of the Talmud discuss a wide variety of legal issues both civil and criminal. Although the jurisdiction of the beth din was limited in every land where Jews have lived, the scholars felt that it was important to develop a system which dealt with every aspect of life. Quite a few of the issues were discussed at a purely theoretical level. But faced with specific problems in their respective communities, the rabbinic scholars were forced to be practical and go beyond the traditional halakhah in order to protect the community. This mixture of idealism and reality shape the later rabbinic discussions, some elements of which have been incorporated into modern Israeli law, but also shape modern Jewish thinking in the Diaspora. This area of the halakhah has been rather neglected, but this volume will no doubt stimulate further research.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Published in Association with the Solomon B. Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah

Product Details

• Paperback: 139 pages
• Publisher: Berghahn Books (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571811974
• ISBN-13: 978-1571811974
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,711,801 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for Judaic Studies and Law/Justice collections., February 3, 2000

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This review is from: Crime and Punishment in Jewish Law: Essays and Responsa (Studies in Progressive Halakhah, V. 6) (Paperback)

Walter Jacob and Moshe Zemer collaborate to assemble anoutstanding series of essays and responses by esteemed andknowledgeable contributors in Crime And Punishment In Jewish Law. The subject matter covered include the concept of crime, assessing guilt, capital punishment, religious violence, criminal insanity, rabbinical malpractice, electronic eavesdropping, and a great deal more. Crime And Punishment In Jewish Law is an impressive and unique contribution to Judaic studies.