Islamic and Jewish Legal Reasoning

‘A revelatory exploration of faith traditions in deep dialogue with one another. Islamic and Jewish Legal Reasoning offers a model of reciprocal conversation at a time when it is too often in short supply.’

-- Dr. Seth Anziska, Lecturer in Jewish-Muslim Relations, University College London

‘A wonderfully engaging conversation about the meaning, value, and possible revision of legal traditions.’

-- Michael Walzer, Professor Emeritus, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton

‘Islamic and Jewish Legal Reasoning is daring and innovative. The book is a conversation among scholars of law and religion in these two great traditions, based on intensive collective readings of and reflections on each other’s key texts, specifically concerning the role of reason and authority in determining law. The result is a fascinating and highly readable account of this dialogue.’

-- Ziba Mir-Hosseini, SOAS, University of London

‘Anver Emon and Robert Gibbs are among the very best scholars of their generation on (respectively) Islamic and Jewish legal reasoning. This volume is a treasure, bringing their work into conversation with other notable scholars, helping us to better understand our shared heritage.’

-- Amir Hussain, Professor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University

‘Islamic and Jewish Legal Reasoning is a series of thoughtful scholarly essays in which recognition of differences becomes the starting point for mutual understanding. The essays introduce the reader to pairs of outstanding scholars who reflect together on legal questions regarding animals, sovereignty, the status of women, and other issues. Their conversations provide a wealth of detail on these two important traditions, and they remind us again that to know our own law and culture, we must first understand the questions others raise about them.’

-- Robin W. Lovin, William H. Scheide Senior Fellow in Theology, Center of Theological Inquiry

‘Designed for the non-specialist, this fascinating book invites the reader to listen in on a conversation about law, Jewish law and Islamic law, among distinguished scholars thinking modern questions—the nature of law and judicial authority, the status of women, animal rights, and sovereignty—with ancient and medieval texts. It is a deeply serious book which models an informed and open dialogue about consequential matters rather than providing packaged pieties.’

-- Winnifred Fallers Sullivan, Chair, Department of Religious Studies, Indiana University Bloomin