To Kill and Take Possession: Law, Morality, and Society in Biblical Stories »

The stories in the Bible present some of the most memorable approaches to justice ever described. Legal scholar Daniel Friedmann explores the legal, moral, and political aspects of well-known and dramatic biblical tales. Friedmann's analyses include reference to ancient law codes, mythology, literature, the history of law, as well complex contemporary issues, ranging from marriage and maternity disputes to religious and national identity. A bestseller in Israel, now translated into English, To Kill and Take Possession reveals how ancient attitudes have had continuing relevance throughout history and up to the present.

Library Journal

Danielle Rubenstein Professor of Comparative Law at Tel-Aviv University, Friedmann gives readers a fascinating look at the legal implications of various stories from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and thereby makes two valuable contributions. First, his close reading of the biblical text offers new insights into the stories involved. Second, he summarizes the legal implications of each story and then presents their various applications throughout history. A fascinating demonstration of his approach is offered in his close examination of the story of David and Bathsheba and the account of Ahab and Jezebel's murder of Naboth for the purpose of confiscating his vineyard. After presenting his analysis of these stories, Friedmann discusses the inherent legal principles and shows how they have influenced subsequent legal understandings. He ends the chapter with a fascinating discussion of the death of Adolf Eichmann and the attendant issue of whether his heirs should make a profit from his diaries. This book is highly recommended for larger public and academic libraries as an intriguing, authoritative discussion of several biblical stories and the legal implications that flow from them.-David Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernardino Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.