In this Zoom lecture series, David explores several fascinating episodes described in the Talmud.
This first lecture in the series discusses an unusual Talmudic incident involving disloyalty, self-righteousness, contempt, justice, death, restitution, escape, and consequences.
As with many stories from the Talmud, this incident is set during a time known as the Amoraic period – between the 3rd and 4th centuries CE – when the centre of Jewish life was based in Babylonia. It concerns an investigation of a concept in halacha, Jewish law, known as mesirah – an action in which a Jewish person hands over another Jewish person or their property to a non-Jewish authority.
In the story, a rabbinical court (beth din) summons a man poised to inform on his neighbour to the Babylonian government. This man’s disdain for the authority of the beth din results in unexpected and grave consequences.
David examines the details and text of this remarkable event as well as the context and significance of the Talmudic figures involved. He also:
- explains the relevance of the legal issue in its historical context
- draws parallels between these historical incidents and recent issues of Jewish law
- explores variations in definitions of right and wrong, justice and injustice
- describes and contextualises the figures described in the passage
- reminds us of the details and relevance of the historical setting in which the incident is set.
The Talmudic passage discussed in this lecture can be found towards the end of Tractate Bava Kamma, page 117a.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:27 — 17.3MB)
This lecture is the first in a four-part series presented via Zoom for Caulfield Shule in 2020 as part of its scholar-in-residence program.