Jewish law, Ethics Issues Debated in New Course

Toledo, OH — Is it OK to sublet your apartment for more than you pay in rent, profiting by using someone else’s property?

What about business workers who travel on company time using airline tickets paid for by the company? Do they own the tickets they receive for frequent-flier miles, or do the freebies belong to their company?

It might be the American way to make a quick buck or to cash in on fringe benefits, but it’s not necessarily the right thing to do under Jewish law.

“You Be the Judge,” a new six-night course that will be offered by the Jewish Learning Institute beginning Wednesday, explores real-life cases brought before the Beit Din, or court system of Jewish law.

Among the case studies presented are ones involving the nature of ownership, the validity of an immoral contract, and the value of life versus the value of property.

“For hundreds of years, the most important cultural activity for the Jewish people has been the study of the Talmud,” said Rabbi Yossi Shemtov of Chabad House-Lubavitch, who will teach the course on six consecutive Wednesday nights.

The Talmud is a collection of writings by rabbis and scholars who interpreted the Torah, or Jewish holy book, to determine religious law. But the discussions and debates over interpretations are activities that can involve all Jews, not just scholars and rabbis, Rabbi Shemtov said.

“Early in the morning and late in the evening after a day of work, Jews would grapple and argue over the law,” he said. “Shopkeepers, laborers, even schoolchildren shared common ground with rabbis and scholars in a democratic fashion.”

Rabbi Eli Silberstein, of Ithaca, N.Y., who has been a lecturer at Cornell University, wrote the textbook for the course, titled You Be the Judge.

“I’ve been interested in this subject for years, and after studying the Talmud all my life and teaching a class at Cornell, I thought this book would be very, very helpful,” Rabbi Silberstein said in an interview.

“First of all, I love the idea of sharing. What better can we do in life than share what we are privileged to have?” he said.

“So many Jews are ignorant about their own legacy, their own rich heritage, and it’s a shame. So why not connect them to a legacy that they haven’t even touched?”

He said that he team-taught a course with a Cornell law professor on Jewish and civil law, which led him to take a new look at different legal systems.

“I never realized until I had to analyze and compare it against other legal systems just how incredible the Talmudic system is. I grew up all my life with it but never understood the depths of the nuances until I was in contact with other legal systems,” Rabbi Silberstein said.

Although the Talmud was written centuries ago, the principles apply today — even in cases that would not have been possible at the time the book was written.

“The Talmud gives us the principles and the precedent,” Rabbi Shemtov said, “and our job today is how to build on those. When we figure out today’s modern questions, how does the Torah view them? That’s where our work comes in.”

Rabbi Shemtov said the course is designed for laypersons and no formal training is required in the Talmud or civil law.
He described the mental exploration of Talmudic study as “exhilarating.”

“You really need to come with an open mind when you’re studying the Talmud,” Rabbi Shemtov said. “You have to be able to appreciate a truly opposing opinion, even if there is no question in your mind that the opposing opinion is wrong. But it will crystallize your own thought process.”

“You Be the Judge” will be taught from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays for six weeks at Chabad House, 4020 Nantucket Dr. The $69 fee includes the textbook. A class also will be offered to lawyers for nine Continuing Legal Education credit hours.