The Evolution of Law in the Bible: Two Case Studies   

Monday, July 24, 1:00–2:30 p.m. 
Online

Part of our summer learning series, The Dynamics of Change 

This session has generously been sponsored by Yale Asbell, JTS Trustee.

With Dr. Benjamin Sommer, Professor of Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages, JTS 

Please note that we have had to make a schedule change in this series: Dr. Sommer is teaching the July 24 session in place of the originally scheduled session with Dr. Beverly Bailis.

Professor Sommer will use laws pertaining to the Sabbath and Passover to show how ritual law evolved in the Bible. During the session, he will offer examples that provide evidence of legal evolution within the Torah itself. These examples will show how the revision and remaking of Jewish law begins neither in modern times nor with the Rabbis of the Talmudic era but with the sages and scribes of biblical Israel. 

If you have previously registered for another session in this series, your registration admits you to all sessions in the series, and you may attend as many as you’d like. 

Note: The Zoom link for this session will be in the confirmation email that you receive after you register. 

View all sessions in the series

ABOUT THE SERIES 

The Dynamics of Change 

Mondays, June 5–August 14, 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET 

Please note that there will be no session on June 19 or July 3. 

Change is an integral part of life and a central feature of the Jewish experience. Join JTS scholars for an in-depth exploration of significant changes—religious, political, and personal—throughout Jewish history and life. Together we’ll consider core questions such as: What inspires change? What circumstances are most conducive to change, and what (or who) drives it? How do we experience change and adapt to its impact? How can Jewish values and ideas inspire us to change the world for the better?   

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