The Image of the Non-Jew in Judaism: A Historical and Constructive Study of the Noahide Laws: The Idea of Noahide Law (The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization) - Softcover

David Novak; Matthew LaGrone (editor)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1906764077 ISBN 13: 9781906764074

Publisher: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2011

Synopsis

Throughout history the image of the non-Jew in Judaism has profoundly influenced the way in which Jews interact with non-Jews. It has also shaped the understanding that Jews have of their own identity, as it determines just what distinguishes them from the non-Jews around them. A crucial element in this is the concept of Noahide law, understood by the ancient rabbis and subsequent Jewish thinkers as incumbent upon all humankind, unlike the full 613 divine commandments of the Torah, which are incumbent on Jews alone. The approach adopted in this now classic study is to consider the history of the idea of Noahide law, and to show how the concept is relevant to practical discussions of the halakhah pertaining to non-Jews and to relations between Jews and non-Jews. The seven chapters that make up the first part of the study examine each of the Noahide laws in turn, with a view to showing their halakhic development in the rabbinic sources, in the codes, and in the responsa literature. The discussion draws primarily on classical texts by traditional commentators as they attempt to deal with living issues from the rabbinic world as equally vital concerns in their own time. The second part deals with the theory of Noahide law, concluding with a consideration of why it is an appropriate starting point for Jewish philosophy today.

About this title

Review

'The depth and breadth of this book's treatment of its subject are its great strengths. It is much more sophisticated in both method and content than any other single volume on the subject.' --Journal of Religion

'A goldmine of information and philosophical reflection . . . a book of major importance.' --Jewish Law Association

'The absolute best and most complete book I have found [on righteous gentiles] is Novak's . . . it gives the most detailed explanation and digs really deep.' --www.torahforum.org

About the Author

David Novak is Professor of the Study of Religion and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto. He is the author of several books, the most recent being The Jewish Social Contract: A Essay in Political Theology (2005), Talking with Christians: Musings of a Jewish Theologian (2005), and Covenantal Rights: A Study in Jewish Political Theory (2000). Matthew LaGrone is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Delaware's Jewish Studies Program. His scholarship focuses equally on the Atlantic Jewish world and Jewish-Christian relations.

Edition details

• Publisher: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1906764077
• ISBN 13: 9781906764074
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 344