Jewish Law's Responses to Gentile Law: Internal Views of External Influences: Advanced Reading Group
Spring term, Block H
M 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Visiting Professor Hanina Ben-Menahem
1 classroom credits LAW-40325A
This reading group will explore halakhic self-reflection on external influences on Jewish law. We will not address the actual impact of external influences on the halakha (which, it goes without saying, is significant). Rather, we will explore the language Jewish law uses to describe its own perception of its relation to Gentile law. We will see that halakhic responses to the outside legal culture range from total opposition to occasional acceptance. Readings will include primary and secondary sources in Hebrew and English. A reading knowledge of Hebrew is a prerequisite.
*After the first session, classes will meet bi-weekly for two hours.