Foundations of Halakha: Understanding the System of Jewish Law

Jewish law — Halakha — governs a remarkably wide range of daily life, from what one eats to how one marks the passage of time, from commercial conduct to mourning practices. For those unfamiliar with its internal logic, Halakha can appear as a collection of arbitrary rules. Seen from within, it is a coherent legal tradition with its own sources, methods of reasoning, authorities, and ongoing development across millennia. This course provides an intellectual map of the entire system. By the end of this course you will be able to trace the major sources of Halakha from the Torah through the Oral Law, Mishnah, Talmud, rishonim, and the Shulchan Aruch, explain the methodology of halachic decision-making (psak halacha), understand how responsa (teshuvot) extend the law to new situations, and discuss the relationship between Halakha and contemporary Jewish life across different communities. What you will learn: - The concept of Torah she-bichtav (Written Law) and Torah she-be'al peh (Oral Law) and their interrelationship - The structure of the Mishnah and Talmud as foundational halachic documents - Major medieval codifiers: Maimonides' Mishneh Torah and Karo's Shulchan Aruch - The role of the Mapah (Rema) in extending Ashkenazic practice - Key halachic categories: biblical prohibitions (d'oraita) versus rabbinic enactments (d'rabbanan) - The logic of leniency and stringency in halachic reasoning - Selected domains: Shabbat observance, kashrut (dietary law), family purity (taharat hamishpacha), and daily prayer - The responsa literature: how poskim respond to new technologies and social realities The course proceeds through thematic units, each introducing a domain of Jewish law with historical context, primary source excerpts in translation, and explanatory readings. Case examples illustrate how a specific ruling was reached through the chain of authority from earlier to later decisors. Reflection prompts invite you to consider the interplay between legal logic and communal values. Self-assessment exercises help consolidate the terminology and structural concepts introduced in each unit. This course is designed for students, educators, and intellectually engaged adults who want a rigorous orientation to Jewish law without assuming prior talmudic training. It is suitable for those new to the study of Halakha as well as for practitioners from non-Orthodox backgrounds curious about the tradition's internal structure. No prior background in Jewish legal texts is required. This course is educational and does not constitute a halachic ruling for personal practice; readers seeking authoritative guidance on specific questions should consult a qualified rabbinic authority.