Collected Essays

These essays reflect the author's lifelonginterest in the history of halakhah, asking what happens when strong forcesimpinge on halakhic observance, forcing adaptation to new circumstances. Theessays cover usury, moneylending, and pawnbroking; Gentile wine; and theself-image of the Ashkenazic community, and show that the line betweenadaptation and deviance is a fine one.