Book

Uxor Ebraica

📖 Overview

Uxor Ebraica (The Hebrew Wife) is a 1646 treatise by English jurist and scholar John Selden examining Jewish marriage laws and customs. The text presents detailed analysis of traditional Hebrew marriage practices based on rabbinical sources and historical documents. The work consists of three books covering betrothal, marriage ceremonies, and divorce in Jewish law. Selden draws extensively from the Talmud and other Hebrew texts, providing Latin translations and interpretations of key passages about matrimonial traditions. Written during a period of religious and social upheaval in England, Uxor Ebraica represents one of the first major Western scholarly examinations of Jewish family law. Selden includes comparative analysis between Jewish customs and those of other ancient cultures. The text reflects broader themes about the relationship between religious law and civil society, while highlighting the complex interplay between sacred traditions and practical governance. Selden's academic approach established new standards for comparative religious scholarship in Early Modern Europe.

👀 Reviews

Limited reader reviews exist for this scholarly Latin work about Jewish marriage law from 1646. As a niche academic text, it does not have listings on major review sites like Goodreads or Amazon. No public ratings or reader reviews could be found online. The book appears to be primarily referenced in academic papers and library catalogs rather than reviewed by general readers. The text is held by university libraries and occasionally appears in rare book auctions, but lacks a significant body of modern reader feedback to analyze. Note: This response is limited since there do not seem to be enough public reader reviews to provide a meaningful analysis. The book appears to be mainly discussed in academic contexts rather than reviewed by general readers.

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Marriage and Divorce in the Jewish State by Michael Corinaldi The text presents Jewish marriage laws' evolution from ancient times to modern Israel, with emphasis on legal documents and rabbinical court decisions.

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🤔 Interesting facts

📚 John Selden wrote Uxor Ebraica (1646) in Latin, focusing on ancient Hebrew marriage and divorce laws, making it one of the first comprehensive Western studies of Jewish matrimonial customs. 🏛️ The book heavily influenced later English marriage laws and was frequently cited in ecclesiastical courts during the 17th and 18th centuries. 📖 Selden used his exceptional knowledge of Talmudic and Rabbinic sources to write this work, despite not being Jewish himself - a rare accomplishment for a Christian scholar of his time. ⚖️ The work explores complex topics like polygamy, levirate marriage, and divorce rights in ancient Hebrew law, comparing them with contemporary European practices. 🗝️ Uxor Ebraica was part of Selden's larger project to demonstrate how Jewish law could serve as a model for secular legal systems, helping bridge religious and civil law in England.