Originally published in World Jewry 9:4 (1966), p. 30. The Growth of Reform Judaism — American and European Sources until 1948. By W. Gunther Plaut. World Union of Progressive Judaism, New York. $7.50. Modern Varieties of Judaism. By Joseph L. Blau. Columbia University Press, New York and London. $6.00. Rabbi Plaut’s earlier volume “The Rise of Reform…...

Originally published in World Jewry 7:2 (1964), p. 17. The Rise of Reform Judaism: A Sourcebook of its European Origins. By W. Gunther Plaut. World Union for Progressive Judaism. New York. $6.00. The Emergence of Conservative Judaism: The Historical School in 19th Century America, By Moshe Davis. Jewish Publication Society of America. Philadelphia. $5.50. The impact of…...

Originally published in World Jewry 4:3 (1961), pp. 18-19. In His Image—The Jewish Philosophy of Man as Expressed in Rabbinic Tradition, by Samuel Belkin. London, Abelard-Schuman, 25s. The term “Rabbinic” in Dr. Belkin’s sub-title embraces post-Talmudic teachers, particularly Maimonides, who is quoted frequently. The ideas of Philo, on whom Dr. Belkin is an authority, are duly…...

Originally published in World Jewry 2:2 (1959), pp. 25-6. Judaism—A Historical Presentation, by Isidore Epstein. Pelican Books, 3s. 6d. The Hassidim used to say of the work Noam Elimelech, what an achievement to contain such a big God in such a little book! Dr. Epstein, the learned principal of Jews’ College, is to be equally congratulated on…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 10 (1992), pp. 292-3. Havye ha-Levi by Y. Wosner (nephew of the S. Wosner) (Montreal, 1986) — No.101: When a couple adopt an infant should he be told that he is not their natural child?; No.105: When A summons B to attend the Bet Din is B entitled to refuse unless…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 10 (1992), p. 292. Shevet ha-Levi by S. Wosner, 2nd. ed. (vols.1-5. New York, 1981-4; vol.6. Bene Berak, 1986). — Among the questions discussed are the following: I, 35: the benediction on seeing a monarch applies to a Queen not only to a King; I, 43: a kohen whose car ran…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 10 (1992), pp. 291-2. Betsel ha-Hokhmah, by B. Stern, 6 Parts in Three Vols., new ed. (Jerusalem, 1990). — Most of these Responsa deal with questions to which modern life gives rise. I, 3: compensation to the victim of an assault who brought further disability on himself through disobeying the doctor’s…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 10 (1992), pp. 296-7. Adin Steinsaltz, The Babylonian Talmud (Jerusalem: The Israel Institute for Talmudic Publications), Ketubot (1988, 2 vols.), Kiddushin (1989, 2 vols.), Sotah (1990). Adin Steinsaltz continues to produce his popular edition of the tractates of the Babylonian Talmud. Although an historical perspective is somewhat lacking, these volumes are…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 10 (1992), p. 291. Shraga ha-Meir, by F. Schneebalg, 6 vols. (Bene Berak, 1977-1990). — The author is a London Rabbi belonging to the Hasidic movement. I, 34: in addition to the seven Noahide laws, is a Noahide obliged to honour his parents?; II, 79: if one of the witnesses in…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 10 (1992), p. 291. Shevet ha-Kehati by S.K. Gross (Jerusalem, 1987).— No.263: It might appear from a statement in the Talmud that a man under 40 years of age is not allowed to render decisions in Jewish law, but the author (himself under 40) defends the right to do so; No.332:…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 7 (1988), p. 293. Aaron Levine, Zikhron Meir al Aveylut, Toronto: Zikhron Meir Publications 1985, Vol. I, pp. xxxiv, 765. This work is described on the English backpaper as : “A New Encyclopedic Compilation of the Laws, Customs, Prayers and Supplications Pertaining to Sickness, Death, and Mourning”. The Volume…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 7 (1988), p. 285. Rabbi Eliezer Waldinberg, She’elot uteshuvot Tsits Eliezer, Vol. 15, Jerusalem; Itah Publishing House, 1983, Pp. 200. Rabbi Waldinberg’s output is astonishing. This is the 15th volume of his Responsa, many of them dealing with medical questions, on which he is a world authority. In response…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 7 (1988), p. 285. Rabbi Issar Yehudah Unterman, Shevet Yehudah, First and Second Series, Jerusalem, Mosad Harav Kook, 1983, pp. 503. In these responsa and legal essays, the former Chief Rabbi of Israel applies in a novel way the methods he had learned in his youth in Lithuanian Yeshivot…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 7 (1988), pp. 284-5. Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, Divre Yoel, Brooklyn, New York: Jerusalem Book Store Publishing House, 1982, 2 Volumes, Pp. 95, Price: £40.00. Rabbi Teitelbaum, who died a year or two ago, was famed as a Hasidic Rebbe but achieved a reputation as an outstanding Halakhist when he…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 7 (1988), p. 284. Judah Herzl Henkin, She’elot uteshuvot Bene Vanim, Jerusalem, Weiss Mekor Barukh, 1981, Pp. 226. These Responsa and other essays of the District Rabbi of Bet Shean deal with the contemporary situation in the State of Israel, discussing, for instance, the vexed question of how much…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 7 (1988), p. 284. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Iggerot Moshe, Orah Hayyim, Part 4; Yoreh De’ah, Part 3, Bene Berak: Yeshivat Ohel Moshe, 1981, Pp. 556, Price £10.50. This is the sixth volume of Responsa by the veteran posek for the Orthodox world. Among the interesting Responsa are two which…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 7 (1988), p. 274. Judaism, No. 133, Vol. 34.1, Winter, 1985, is devoted to a symposium on Patrilineal Descent. The historian, Dr. Shaya J.D. Cohen, traces the development from an original patrilineal descent to the matrilineal as it has existed for well-nigh two thousand years. Cohen himself refuses to…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 7 (1988), p. 265. Mordecai David Cohen, Edut ushetarot, Jerusalem: Makhon Yerushalayim, 1983, Pp. 420. The question of evidence given in writing, as opposed to verbal testimony in the Court, is one of the most complicated in Jewish legal theory. The central problem is the apparent contradiction between the…...

Originally published in the Jewish Law Annual 7 (1988), p. 290. Yair Hayyim Bacharach, Mekor Hayyim, ed. Rabbi Eliyahu Dov Pines, Jerusalem: Makhon Yerushalayim, Vol. I, 1982, Pp. i, 356, Price £12.50; Vol. II, 1984, Pp. ii, 541, Price, £14.50. These beautifully produced volumes contain the text of Shulhan Arukh, Orah Hayyim with the Baer Hetev…...