Laws {Jewish law} can depend on Torah and later interpretations. Jewish family relations were agnatic. Fathers had absolute power. Women left their families completely at marriage. Having several wives was common, but later decreased and eventually ended. Women had to have higher moral standards. Large families were desirable.
scriptures {midrash, scripture}|.
Exodus 21:22-25 states: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life, a wound for a wound {lex talionis} {jus talionis} {talion}|. Talion limits revenge or retaliation to same level as injury.
At first, husband's nearest relative had to marry widow. Later, formal procedure {chelitza} allowed husband or widow not to marry.
Jewish people supposedly received laws when God spoke to Moses. Ancient Jewish law {Mosaic Law} is one law basis. Mosaic Law is typical tribal patriarchal law. Mosaic Law limited revenge by rule of talion. Judicial system developed to determine proper revenge for wrongs.
Mosaic Law is Old-Testament first five books {Torah} {Pentateuch}.
Torah {Book of the Covenant} includes Ten Commandments in Exodus and other laws.
Torah includes Ten Commandments in second book {Exodus}.
Torah includes commandments {Ten Commandments} in Exodus.
Scribes wrote Mosaic-law expositions {Mishnah}. Mishnah is practical law. It appeals to high principles, such as equity, fairness, and humaneness. It distinguishes between civil and criminal law. It had harsh criminal penalties but did not use death penalty in later times.
Mishnah extensions {Talmud, Mishnah} have Gemara, Halachah, and Haggadah.
Talmud sections {Halakha} {Halakah} {Halakhah} {Halacha} {Halachah} {Oral Law} record Jewish rabbinic law, customs, and traditions.
Talmud sections {Hagadda} {Haggadah} have scripture ethical, prophetic, religious, and historical content and include benedictions, prayers, and psalms for Passover seder.
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Date Modified: 2022.0225