Conversion: Halakhah and Practice

Menachem Finkelstein

ISBN 10: 9652263257 / ISBN 13: 9789652263254

Published by Ramat Gan : Bar-Ilan University Press, 2007

About this Item

782 pages : 25 cm. Conversion (giyyur), the way in which a gentile converts to the Jewish faith, has profound legal significance. This book is a comprehensive halakhic and legal research of conversion in Jewish law, and aims to reach a full understanding of its essence. The work encompasses the entire body of halakhic literature and reviews the actual employment of the principles of proselytism as discussed in the Responsa literature. English edition of the Hebrew book Proselytism: Halakhah and Practice .

Seller Inventory # PGBIUP117

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Conversion: Halakhah and Practice
• Publisher: Ramat Gan : Bar-Ilan University Press
• Publication Date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9652263257
• ISBN 13: 9789652263254
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New
• Seller catalogs:
  • Judaica

About this title

Synopsis

Conversion Halacha and Practice deals with the halakhic process of conversion a topic that is on the public agenda in Israel constantly, and that is of great concern to Jewish communities throughout the world. The question "Who is a Jew?" touches directly upon the subject of conversion, the process by which a non-Jew enters the community of Israel. This groundbreaking study examines the entire halakhic literature in the realm of conversion, from the periods of the Mishnah and the Talmud until the present, in order to gain an understanding of the essential nature of this fateful legal process. Special attention is devoted to the application of the laws of conversion in the responsa literature, especially in recent generations. The book illustrates the fascinating ways by which halakhic authorities rule on the concrete queries that are directed to them, remaining faithful to the basic principles of conversion, while taking into account the unique circumstances of the particular case and broader contemporary issues. This work is unique in its legal analysis of conversion. The author complements the halakhic discussion with a description of several relevant historical issues from the annals of the Jewish people, adding an additional dimension to the legal discussion.

About the Author

The author, Dr. Menachem Finkelstein, served as Israel Defense Forces Advocate General, with the rank of Brigadier-General, until 2004, after having served as Deputy President of the IDF Military Court of Appeals. Dr. Finkelstein is currently a judge in the Haifa District Court. He lectured for many years in the Law Department of Bar-Ilan University and in other academic institutions.