Prerequisites: None

Exam Type: No Exam

The offering will explore obligations to others in Jewish Law such as charity, saving life and different domains of care for others. We will examine biblical, Talmudic and later materials in Jewish Law that deal with the following questions: how is the category of the poor defined; how does the Talmud define needs and deprivation; and what is the hierarchy of needs? How does Jewish law deal with the risk of humiliation which is inherent in the act of accepting help? Responsibility and care for others and the limits of sacrificing for others? Do we give what is ours, or does the obligation of giving assume limitations on ownership? The seminar will examine communal obligations to others as well, such as taxation and organized distribution in the Talmud and Responsa literature.

The examination of these questions will be conducted from a comparative perspective, which explores approaches to these problems in ethics, political theory and law. The analysis of these diverse seminar themes will be conducted through close readings, mainly of Talmudic discussions. Course materials, including all the relevant sections from the Talmud and later commentaries and codes, will be distributed during the first meeting of the seminar. No prior knowledge of Hebrew or Aramaic is necessary, and English translations of the original materials will be provided.

Not: This course is cross-listed with FAS as JEWISHST 209 and will meet at HLS.