The Image of the Non-Jew in Judaism

Throughout history the image of the non-Jew in Judaism has profoundly influenced the way in which Jews interact with non-Jews. It has also shaped the understanding that Jews have of their own identity, as it determines just what distinguishes them from the non-Jews around them. A crucial element in this is the concept of Noahide law, understood by the ancient rabbis and subsequent Jewish thinkers as incumbent upon all humankind, unlike the full 613 divine commandments of the Torah, which are incumbent on Jews alone. The approach adopted in this now classic study is to consider the history of the idea of Noahide law, and to show how the concept is relevant to practical discussions of the halakhah pertaining to non-Jews and to relations between Jews and non-Jews.

The seven chapters that make up the first part of the study examine each of the Noahide laws in turn, with a view to showing their halakhic development in the rabbinic sources, in the codes, and in the responsa literature. The discussion draws primarily on classical texts by traditional commentators as they attempt to deal with living issues from the rabbinic world as equally vital concerns in their own time. The second part deals with the theory of Noahide law, concluding with a consideration of why it is an appropriate starting point for Jewish philosophy today.

Preface
Acknowledgements

Chapter Summaries by MATTHEW LAGRONE

1        The Origins of the Noahide Laws
2        The Law of Adjudication
3        The Law of Blasphemy
4        The Law of Idolatry
5        The Law of Homicide
6        The Law of Sexual Relations
7        The Law of Robbery
8        The Law of the Torn Limb
9        Aggadic Speculation
10      Maimonides’ Theory of Noahide Law
11      Albo’s Theory of Noahide Law
12      Late Medieval Developments
13      Moses Mendelssohn and his School
14      Hermann Cohen and the Jewish Neo-Kantians
15      Conclusion

Afterword by MATTHEW LAGRONE

List of Abbreviations
Notes
Bibliography
Index

FROM REVIEWS OF THE SECOND EDITION

‘Any reader interested in understanding how the non-Jew has been perceived throughout Jewish history should certainly turn to The Image of the Non-Jew in Judaism for an authoritative discussion . . . scholarly . . . provides insight, not only into the classical Jewish perceptions of non-Jews and their place in the world, but also into Jewish–Christian and Jewish–Muslim relations and a more sophisticated understanding of Jewish law vis-à-vis the Gentile.’
David Tesler, AJL Reviews

‘Novak demonstrates an intimate acquaintance with Jewish law and philosophy in this work of impressive scholarship. Little changed from the first edition, this second edition includes helpful chapter summaries and a lucid afterword by Matthew LaGrone . . . Novak’s account of the myriad ways that Jewish texts and thinkers have thought about “Others”—especially Christians and Muslims—provides historical and philosophical context for contemporary discussions of topics ranging from human rights to interreligious dialogue. Recommended.’
S. Gowler, Choice

FROM REVIEWS OF THE FIRST EDITION

‘The depth and breadth of this book’s treatment of its subject are its great strengths. It is much more sophisticated in both method and content than any other single volume on the subject.’
Journal of Religion

‘A goldmine of information and philosophical reflection . . . a book of major importance.’
Jewish Law Association

‘The absolute best and most complete book I have found [on righteous gentiles] is Novak’s . . . it gives the most detailed explanation and digs really deep.’  www.torahforum.org