ABOUT THIS BOOK

Biblical Judgments invites readers to consider today's timeless dilemmas of law and government, social justice, and human rights, through the perspective of a text that has helped shape western society: the Hebrew Bible. By focusing on biblical narratives and literature rather than on traditional interpretations of biblical law, Daphne Barak-Erez is able to look beyond historic norms to concentrate on what Old Testament stories can reveal about the "big" issues. She discusses questions such as: What can modern-day governmental regulation learn from the exercise of food rationing in Egypt as a response to Pharaoh's dream of a future famine? How does social distancing in the time of Covid-19 compare with people sent outside the camp as a precautionary measure against bible-era plagues? What can promoters of social justice glean from the demands made to Moses that daughters should also inherit from their father when biblical law did not recognize inheritance rights of women?

Rather than offering a historical study, Barak-Erez draws upon famous court decisions from around the world to root her analysis in modern law. Organized by subject matter, Biblical Judgments analyzes how the themes of law and government, judging and judges, human rights and social justice, criminal law, private law, and family and inheritance law are presented through a number of different stories. In recounting the compelling narratives of the Hebrew Bible, Biblical Judgments exposes their inherent legal tensions and what we can learn about legal dilemmas today.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Daphne Barak-Erez is a Justice for the Supreme Court of Israel.

REVIEWS

"The book takes what could be misunderstood as a polarizing religious text, which “belongs” to some but not to others, and shows how lawyers – all lawyers – can and should read it as lawyers to help address and resolve difficult contemporary challenges. In this way, Barak-Erez has authored an important book that shows how lawyers can play an important role in overcoming religious, political and cultural divides by thinking like lawyers and role modeling commitment to public citizenship, the rule of law, justice and inclusivity."— Eli Wald, Biblical Insights for Lawyers, JOTWELL - The Journal of Things We Like (Lots)

“. . . takes well known biblical stories and trains the attention onto their legal significance, thereby offering a fresh and fascinating way of understanding them. Barak-Erez’ deep and deft analysis challenges us to think about the legal issues as if they happened today, understand their intricacy, and reflect upon the outcome.”

— Pnina Lahav, Boston University

“In 127 crystal-clear readings, at once accessible and erudite, Daphne Barak-Erez has given us more than a contemporary guide to reading the Bible, or even a non-fundamentalist handbook for applying the Bible to 21st-century law: this is a textbook in how to think historically, humanely, and honestly.”

— Rabbi Jason Rubenstein, Howard M. Holtzmann Jewish Chaplain at Yale

"Das Buch kann sowohl Studierenden als auch Expertinnen und Experten uneingeschränkt empfohlen werden. Barak-Erez informiert auf höchst unterhaltsame Weise, regt zum Weiterdenken an und zeigt, dass es durchaus so etwas wie „ewige Gerechtigkeitsfragen“ gibt, mit denen sich der menschliche Geist auseinanderzusetzen hat.
[The book can be unreservedly recommended to both students and experts. Barak-Erez provides information in a highly entertaining way, encourages further thought and shows that there are indeed such things as “eternal questions of justice” that the human intellect has to engage with.]"— Eric Hilgendorf, Juristen Zeitung

"Biblical Judgments offers thought-provoking discussions about the biblical legal system and our contemporary one. With its more than 120 essays, it’s impossible to do justice to its depth. One does not need to be a lawyer or biblical scholar to find much of interest in its pages. General readers should also enjoy this stimulating work."— Rabbi Rachel Esserman, The Reporter

“Daphne Barak-Erez illuminates our thinking about a myriad of contemporary problems by offering us concise analysis of parallels from the Hebrew Bible. Her clarity, even-handedness, and pragmatic narratives enable readers to appreciate the longevity of the challenges of judging, governance, and fairness and the reasons to know but not be locked into ancient responses.”

— Judith Resnik, Arthur Liman Professor of Law, Yale Law School

"This is a book that exceeds all expectations. . . . My advice is not to read the book in the order it is printed. Rather, jump around, choose a topic and discuss. And go back again and again. Not only will you be engaged, but you will also develop your own technique for mining biblical text for challenging topics."— David Epstein, Hadassah Magazine

"Biblical Judgments is an ambitious work, both in its scope and its attempt to raise questions about our legal system. Barak-Erez has succeeded in producing an engaging book that provides a useful starting point for critical inquiry. Biblical Judgments reminds us that after two millennia, the Bible may be even more important as a font of questions rather than as an authoritative source for answers."— Adam Dodek, The American Journal of Comparative Law

“I hope I have conveyed the book’s genius, and the wide range of issues with which it deals. . . Who might read this book? Anyone who is interested in law and religion, and especially those who take the Bible seriously, either as a divine text, historical account, or inspired literature.”

— Malcolm Feeley, Law and Politics Book Review

“This is an excellent introduction to law through biblical stories. At the same time, it is also a wonderful introduction to the Hebrew Bible through legal thinking.”

— Vered Karti Shemtov, Stanford University

"The Bible, much like the law itself, has always needed learned interpreters to help us navigate our way through the mazes of its myriad meanings. Barak-Erez is one such guide and her book is full of wisdom—and wisdom, as we are told, is worth more than gold (Proverbs 16:16)."— Adam Tomkins, University of Glasgow, Law and Liberty

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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