The Myth of the Cultural Jew: Culture and Law in Jewish Tradition Contributor(s): Kwall, Roberta Rosenthal (Author) |
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ISBN: 0190627255 ISBN-13: 9780190627256 Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA OUR PRICE: $29.44 Product Type: Paperback Published: July 2016 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Law | Customary - Law | Legal History - Religion | Judaism - Rituals & Practice |
Physical Information: 0.8" H x 6.1" W x 9.1" (1.10 lbs) 336 pages |
Themes: - Religious Orientation - Jewish |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: A myth exists that Jews can embrace the cultural components of Judaism without appreciating the legal aspects of the Jewish tradition. This myth suggests that law and culture are independent of one another. In reality, however, much of Jewish culture has a basis in Jewish law. Similarly, Jewish law produces Jewish culture. A cultural analysis paradigm provides a useful way of understanding the Jewish tradition as the product of both legal precepts and cultural elements. This paradigm sees law and culture as inextricably intertwined and historically specific. This perspective also emphasizes the human element of law's composition and the role of existing power dynamics in shaping Jewish law. In light of this inevitable intersection between culture and law, The Myth of the Cultural Jew: Culture and Law in Jewish Tradition argues that Jewish culture is shallow unless it is grounded in Jewish law. Roberta Rosenthal Kwall develops and applies a cultural analysis paradigm to the Jewish tradition that departs from the understanding of Jewish law solely as the embodiment of Divine command. Her paradigm explains why both law and culture must matter to those interested in forging meaningful Jewish identity and transmitting the tradition. |