Exеcution аnd Invеntion: Dеаth Pеnаlty Discoursе in Eаrly Rаbbinic аnd Christiаn Culturеs
Publisher: Οxford Univеrsity Prеss, USΑ
Number of Pages: 362
Published: 2006-03-23
List price: $75.00
The death penalty in classical Judaism has been a highly politicized subject in modern scholarship. Those wishing to defend the Talmud from Enlightenment attacks on its legitimacy pointed to Talmudic criminal law as evidence for its elevated, progressive morals. But even more pressing was the need to prove the Jews’ innocence of the charge of being Christ-killers. This charge hinged on the reconstruction of the ancient Jewish death penalty. The Gospels show a corrupt Jewish court as responsible for the death of Christ. Contemporary Jewish scholars have argued that the Mishnah’s cri...