Jewish Law
Introduction to Halacha, the Jewish Legal Tradition
Halacha, from the Hebrew word for "walking" or "path," is the rabbinic interpretation of Jewish law.
Maimonides (Rambam) and His Texts
One of the greatest Jewish scholars of all time, he was both a traditionalist and an innovator.
The Shulchan Aruch
This 16th-century text by Joseph Caro is the ultimate code of Jewish law.
How to Handle Troubling Jewish Texts
Many of the injunctions in the Torah appear immoral from a human perspective.
Jewish Custom (Minhag) Versus Law (Halacha)
Though often widely practiced, customs are not considered mandatory by traditional Jews.
Kosher Slaughter: An Introduction
A survey of some of the laws governing the slaughter of kosher animals for meat.
Gemara: The Essence of the Talmud
Together with the Mishnah, these texts make up what is known as Rabbinic Judaism.
Halakhah: The Laws of Jewish Life
Halakhah is the "way" a Jew is directed to behave, encompassing civil, criminal and religious law.
Havruta: Learning in Pairs
A modern emphasis on peer-guided text study--an approach with ancient roots--reflects new social realities in the world of traditional Jewish learning.
Maimonides’ Legal Writings
Maimonides' extensive writings on Jewish law, or halachah, remain an unsurpassed accomplishment.
Moshe Feinstein
This 20th-century rabbi was the leading Jewish law authority of his generation.
