MA in Jewish Studies

TH 9192, Jewish Law and Problems of Jewish Life in the Modern World

Credits:  				30

Course Lecturer:  	Prof. Bernard Jackson 

e-mail:					Bernard.Jackson@man.ac.uk

Course Aims::

Through a study of specific legal problems, to appreciate the nature of and constraints upon development in Jewish law and the problems of its application in the modern world.

 

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course unit you should:

1. Basic familiarity with those Jewish legal institutions particularly concerned with personal status;
2. Basic familiarity with the role of Jewish law in the State of Israel;
3. Basic familiarity with the general character of Jewish Law and the problems of its applicability in the modern world,

Brief Description:

Commencing with an Introduction to the "Sources of Law" in Judaism, the course examines the approach of Jewish law to interfaith relations (including the role of the trial of Jesus), the "legal system" and its values, marriage, divorce, conversion, the status of women (especially in the context of succession), Jewish identity, medico-legal problems and the relationship between law and state in the modern State of Israel.

 

List of Topics

1. Introduction to the History and Literary Sources of Jewish Law
2. The Legal Sources of Jewish Law and its Contemporary Application
3. Christian attitudes to Jewish Law; The Trial of Jesus
4. The Relationship between Jewish Law and other Legal Systems
5. Jewish Law in the State of Israel
6. Marriage and Conversion
7. Jewish Identity
8. Divorce
9. Succession
10. Medico-Legal Problems
11. "Values" in the Jewish Legal System
    

Basic Reading:

Weekly					Thursdays 11-1 (A104), Fridays 10-11 and (4 sessions) 11-12 (WLG18)

Taught in: 			Semester 2 (1999-2000)

Assessment:			100% extended essay of 7,000-8,000 words

MA in Jewish Studies | Centre for Jewish Studies | Religions and Theology Home Page | Postgraduate Study

e-mail: Bernard.Jackson@man.ac.uk