BOOK: François-Xavier LICARI, An Introduction to Jewish Law (Cambridge: CUP, 2019), ISBN 9781108379878

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Book abstract:

Jewish law is a singular legal system that has been evolving for generations. Often conflated with Biblical law or Israeli law, Jewish law needs to be studied in its own right. An Introduction to Jewish Law expounds the general structure of Jewish law and presents the cardinal principles of this religious legal system. An introduction to modern Jewish law as it applies to the daily life of Jews around the world, this volume presents Jewish law in a way that answers all the questions that a student of comparative law would ask when encountering an unfamiliar legal system. Sources of Jewish law such as revelation, rabbinical and communal legislation, judicial decisions, and legal reasoning are defined and analyzed, and the authority of who decides what Jewish law is and why their decisions are binding is investigated.

Advance praise:

‘Dr Licari has written an excellent and concise introduction to Jewish law for the reader of English. He provides a masterful overview of the basic jurisprudence of this very unique religious legal system. Many would benefit from reading this work.' (Michael J. Broyde - Emory University, Atlanta)
This penetrating essay will stimulate new research on Jewish law while also providing an invaluable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate courses – on Jewish law, on comparative law, and on religion and law. With rigorous attention to legal methodologies, and with well-chosen and wide-ranging bibliographies for all topics, the essay presents a refreshing account of the unfolding of Talmudic law as a field of study.' (George R. Wilkes, Jewish Law Association)

More information with CUP.