Halakhah and Metziut (Realia) in Medieval Ashkenaz: Surveying the Parameters and Defining the Limits

Date

2003

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Chur, New York : Harwood Academic Publishers

Abstract

Even a cursory perusal of the literature of the rishonim brings the reader face to face with the ways in which medieval halakhists dealt with social realia that appeared, prima facie, to conflict with talmudic law. On the very first page of tractate Avoda Zara, for example, Tosafot poses a brief but weighty question. In light of the clear Mishnaic (and talmudic) restrictions enunciated in regard to doing business with idolaters on the days preceding their holidays or religious observances (and certainly on these days themselves), how is it that Jews do business with Christians on Christian holy days as a matter of course? Or, to put it more precisely, upon what authority does the Jewish community rely?1

Description

Scholarly article

Keywords

Medieval Jewish law, Metzi'ut (Realia)

Citation

Kanarfogel, E. (2003). Halakhah and Mezi'ut (Realia) in Medieval Adshkenaz: Surveying the Parameters and Defining the Limits. Jewish Law Annual, 14, 193-224.