The Codification of Jewish Law on the Cusp of Modernity
Published on 13. April 2022
342 pages
978-1-009-06223-7 (ISBN)
Description
For more than four centuries, Jewish life has been based on a code of law written by Joseph Caro, his Shul?an `aruk ['set table']. The work was an immediate best-seller because it presented the law in a clear and concise format. Caro's work, however, was methodologically problematic and was widely criticized in the first generations after its publication. In this volume, Edward Fram examines Caro's methods as well as those of two of his contemporaries, Moses Isserles and Solomon Luria. He highlights criticisms of Caro's legal thought and brings alternative methodologies to the fore. He also compares these three jurists, while placing their methods, and cases in their historical, intellectual, and religious contexts. Fram's volume ultimately explains why Caro's methodologically problematic work won the day, while more sophisticated approaches remained points of legal reference but fell short of achieving the acceptance that their authors hoped for.
Reviews / Votes
'... well written, thoroughly researched, and has a serious prospect to become a classic on the topic in the English language.' Roger S. Kohn, Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews 'Edward Fram's very erudite, well-researched and fascinating work - note the abundance of footnotes and bibliography - thus takes the history of halakhah ... in innovative, creative and fruitful directions.' Jean Baumgarten, Revue des etudes juivesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
File size
7,54 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-009-06223-7 (9781009062237)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/2022
Cambridge University Press
€109.10
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Content
Introduction; 1. Joseph Caro and his codification of Jewish law; 2. A difficult beginning; 3. Rabbi Solomon Luria's legal methodology; 4. Rabbi Moses Isserles's responses; 5. Codification and legal creativity; Conclusion.
