The Jewish Legal Decision Making Process: Legal and Extra-Legal Dimensions - The 92nd Street Y, New York

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Do the Right Thing: Seeking Moral and Religious Guidance

The Jewish Legal Decision Making Process: Legal and Extra-Legal Dimensions

Feb 9, 2005


Law professor Rabbi Daniel Sinclair speaks about the structure and legal implications of Jewish Law. This lecture is part of a series exploring “Moral and Religious Guidance” sponsored in memory of Lena and Maz Horowitz. Rabbi Sinclair walks through a series of case studies to illustrate the relationship of Jewish Law and Democratic Law. He speaks, for example, about the legality of operating on a competant person, against their will, to save their life. While American democratic law would favor the patient's autonomy, Jewish Law favors any action which preserves life. Rabbi Sinclair also explains how some interpretations of Jewish Law have been practically implimented in the judicial system of Israel. The lecture is followed with questions from the audience.

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