Neighbour, Townsperson, and Fellow Creature: The Regulation of Inter-Human Relationships in Palestinian Rabbinic Texts

Main author: Hezser, Catherine
Format: Book Chapters           
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id eprints-35469
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description This chapter examines the representation of “others” in Palestinian rabbinic texts from late antiquity in the form of concentric circles from the immediate space of the residential neighborhood to fellow local townspeople to all humans as God’s creatures. It shows that, in rabbinic discussions of neighborly relations and dealings with local business partners, the ethnicity and religion of the “other” is usually not specified but sometimes implied. Only in particular halakhic and social contexts did the non-Jewishness and Romanness of the “other” become relevant. Two Biblical ideas served as guiding principles in rabbinic concepts of interhuman relations, namely, the idea that humans were created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27) and the commandment to “love your neighbor like yourself” (Lev. 19:18). Rabbis understood both of these notions in a universalistic way, that is, they believed that they applied to all human beings, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. This led to an anthropology grounded in theology: the treatment of other humans was seen as a direct reflection of one’s relationship to God.
author_additional Bjelland Kartzow, Marianne
author_additionalStr Bjelland Kartzow, Marianne
format Book Chapters
author Hezser, Catherine
author_facet Hezser, Catherine
authorStr Hezser, Catherine
author_letter Hezser, Catherine
title Neighbour, Townsperson, and Fellow Creature: The Regulation of Inter-Human Relationships in Palestinian Rabbinic Texts
publisher Routledge
publishDate 2021
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/35469/