A Tree of Life: Diversity, Flexibility and Creativity in Jewish Law: Diversity, Flexibility and Creativity in Jewish Law [Second Edition] (The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization) - Softcover

Louis Jacobs

Softcover

ISBN 10: 187477448X ISBN 13: 9781874774488

Publisher: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2000

Synopsis

The central thesis of A Tree of Life, now revised and expanded, is that social, economic, theological, and even political factors have always played a part in framing of Jewish law, as has consideration of the wider ideals of Judaism. Through discussion of historical and contemporary halakhic responses to a wide range of issues, Louis Jacobs shows how the halakhic system has demonstrated its potential for vitality, creativity, and sensitivity. Louis Jacobs s call, in the last chapter, for a non-fundamentalist approach to halakhah was a cause of controversy both when the book was first published in 1984 and subsequently. The new introduction written for this edition responds robustly to the criticisms raised, and also summarizes new developments, both halakhic and scholarly, in the various areas covered.

About this title

About the Author

Louis Jacobs, founding rabbi of the New London Synagogue, was a renowned scholar with an international reputation as a lecturer. He was the author of The Jewish Religion: A Companion (1995) and of many other distinguished books, several of them published by the Littman Library, including Beyond Reasonable Doubt (1999), Hasidic Prayer (paperback 1993), and Theology in the Responsa (paperback 2005), as well as an edition and translation of Zevi Hirsch Eichenstein s Turn Aside from Evil and Do Good (1995). He died in 2006.

Edition details

• Publisher: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 187477448X
• ISBN 13: 9781874774488
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 344