Imhoff/Judaism in Five, 6. What is Jewish law?

This chapter explores the dynamic and evolving nature of Jewish law (halakhah). It discusses the Written and Oral Torah and the interpretation of law through commentaries, codes, and responsa. Despite the expansive scope of halakhah, it historically developed while Jewish people lacked political sovereignty and when Jewish communities possessed varying degrees of autonomy, thus creating differing opportunities to live by Jewish law. This chapter addresses the emergence of the nation-state in modernity that fundamentally changed the status of Jewish law.