Jewish Law: The Legal Thought of Maimonides
Spring term, Block C
T,W 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Visiting Professor Hanina Ben-Menahem
2 classroom credits LAW-40320A
This class will examine both the Maimonidean legal corpus--the explicitly legal works, the Code and the responsa; the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed; and the interpretative Commentary on the Mishnah--and the jurisprudential assumptions on which it rests. Though we will be focusing on the legal thought and jurisprudential strategies of one individual, so central is Maimonides to the development of Jewish law that in studying his approach, a wide range of issues in Jewish law in general will of necessity be touched upon. Students will thus gain an understanding of various theoretical and socio-pragmatic aspects of Jewish law. A reader with all the material in English translation will be provided.