THE HALAKHAH Its Sources & Developement / Ephraim E. Urbach

THE HALAKHAH : Its Sources and Development - Ephraim E. Urbach (1986, Hardcover + DJ, Yad la-Talmud) - Illustrated

A Masterpiece of Jewish Scholarship in Beautiful Condition

This is a highly sought-after, monumental work of Jewish legal history: "The Halakhah: Its Sources and Development" by the legendary scholar Ephraim E. Urbach. Published in 1986 by Massada Ltd. under the prestigious Yad la-Talmud series, this massive, oversized hardcover volume (approx. 520 pages) remains one of the most comprehensive and authoritative examinations of the evolution of Jewish law ever written.

Urbach, one of the 20th century's absolute giants of rabbinic research, expertly traces how the Halakhah developed from biblical scriptural roots, through early court precedents, into the expansive world of the Mishnah and the Babylonian Talmud. It beautifully demonstrates how Jewish law is not just a rigid set of rules, but a living, breathing system intertwined with historical reality, social custom, and deep ethical considerations.

📊 Technical Specifications

• Title: The Halakhah: Its Sources and Development
• Author: Ephraim E. Urbach
• Translator: Raphael Posner
• Publisher: Yad la-Talmud / Massada Ltd.
• Publication Year: 1986 (First English Edition)
• Catalog No.: Catalog No. 85-0010
• Number of Pages: 519 pages (357 pages of main text + extensive historical indexes and reference materials)
• Binding: Hardcover with Dust Jacket (Blue cloth boards with embossed emblem)
• Language: English (Translated from Hebrew)
• Weight: 1819 grams (Premium, heavy collector's volume)

🌟 Condition

• Overall: Used but in beautiful, collectible condition. It has been preserved with great care.
• Binding & Board: The dark blue cloth-bound hardcover underneath the jacket is structurally perfect, strong, and square. It features a gorgeous, subtly embossed tree emblem on the front cover and bright gold gilt lettering on the spine.
• Dust Jacket: Present and intact with vibrant graphics. Shows only the absolute minest of minor shelf-wear (primarily subtle rubbing on the back panel from resting on a shelf). It takes nothing away from the gorgeous display value of the book.
• Pages & Interior: Exceptionally clean, crisp, and bright. No highlights, no underlining, and no dog-eared pages.
• Special Feature: Includes stunning, high-quality full-color glossy plates and illustrations showcasing historical artifacts, ancient coins, and magnificent mosaic floors (such as the Bet Alfa Zodiac and Hamat Tiberias).

📖 Complete Chapter & Contents Overview

• Chapter I: Introduction (The Status & Meaning of Halakhah)
• Chapter II: Regulations and Ordinances (Seyag, Gezerah, and Takkanah)
• Chapter III: The Place of Custom in Halakhah
• Chapter IV: From Scripture to Halakhah
• Chapter V: The Courts
• Chapter VI: Precedent and "Testimony"
• Chapter VII: Interpretation as the Source of Halakhah
• Chapter VIII: Laws and Supports
• Chapter IX: Halakhah Le-Ma'aseh; Law as Practised
• Chapter X: The Vote and the Majority
• Chapter XI: Study and Decision
• Chapter XII: General Rules, Terms and Principles
• Chapter XIII: Halakhah – Between Religion and Law
• Chapter XIV: Religion, Ethics and Legal Fictions
• Chapter XV: The Sages of the Halakhah – Personality, Methods and Authority
• Chapter XVI: The Babylonian Talmud – The Book and its Authority

📦 Combined Shipping Info

• Save on Postage: If you win or purchase multiple items from my listings, I will gladly combine everything into a single package so you only pay the actual Swiss Post shipping fee once.

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🇩🇪 Deutsch

The Halakhah: Its Sources and Development – Ephraim E. Urbach (1986)

Großes, fundiertes akademisches Hardcover-Werk (519 Seiten) über die historische Entwicklung des jüdischen Rechts. Erstklassige Ausgabe von Massada Ltd. / Yad la-Talmud in englischer Sprache. Das Buch befindet sich in einem hervorragenden, sauberen Zustand mit nur minimalen Lagerspuren am Schutzumschlag. Enthält wunderschöne farbige Bildtafeln antiker Mosaike und Münzen. Kombiversand bei mehreren Käufen ist selbstverständlich möglich. Falls Sie andere seltene jüdische oder hebräische Bücher suchen, fragen Sie mich gerne über die Funktion „Fragen & Antworten“.

🇫🇷 Français

The Halakhah: Its Sources and Development – Ephraim E. Urbach (1986)

Grand ouvrage académique de référence (519 pages) sur l'évolution historique du droit juif, publié en anglais par Massada Ltd. / Yad la-Talmud. Livre relié en excellent état, intérieur très propre, avec de très légères traces de stockage sur la jaquette. Illustré de superbes planches en couleurs de mosaïques et de monnaies anciennes. Envoi groupé possible en cas d'achats multiples. Si vous recherchez d'autres livres juifs ou hébraïques rares, n'hésitez pas à me contacter via la section « Questions ».