Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg and the Foundation of Jewish Political Thought

ISBN-13: 9781107008243 / Angielski / Twarda / 2015 / 273 str.

Joseph Isaac Lifshitz

Opis

This book examines the political thought of Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg, the most important thirteenth century German Rabbi.

Recenzje

'This investigation into the political theory of Rabbi Meir Rothenburg is a major contribution to both the theory of halachic dispute and the emergence of a Jewish political discourse in the Middle Ages. Retracing the sources of Rabbi Rothenburg back to Torah, Talmud, the Geonim, and the Sephardic thinkers, this brilliant research demonstrates his unique concept of a Jewish political theology.' Christoph Schmidt, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Spis treści

Part I. Introduction: 1. Framing the discussion: overview of the literature; 2. Methodology: identifying the relevant texts; 3. Methodology: Halakha and Agada - laws, principles, and ideology; 4. Overview of the book; Part II. Historical Background: 5. R. Meir of Rothenburg and his teachers and students; 6. The history of the Jewish people and Jewish communities in Germany and Northern France (1000–1300); 7. The development of Talmudic exegesis in Germany and Northern France (1000–1300); 8. Highlights of R. Meir's biography; 9. D. R. Meir's Halakhic approach; 10. Political theory in Germany and Northern France (1000–1300); Part III. Politics as Private Interest: 11. Community as partnership; 12. The role of custom in monetary laws; 13. Beyond partnership: the community as corporation; Part IV. The Sacred Nature of the Political Sphere: 14. The common good; 15. Majority-rule; 16. Agency and representation; 17. The theological definition of community; Part V. Conclusion: 18. Politics as extra-legal activity: ambiguity in R. Meir's works; 19. The theology of unity and despotism.