Bachelor of Talmudic Law
Encyclopedia
The Bachelor of Talmudic law (BTL) is a law degree
, comprising the study, analysis and application of ancient Biblical
sources. The laws derived from these texts comprise the origin of many of today’s judicial systems.
The undergraduate program involves studying the legal principles and concepts of Jewish Law, covering civil, criminal and matrimonial law. The course also includes the study of applicable tort
, property
and contract law. Furthermore, the program also covers legal jurisprudence
, judicial systems – including the validity of witnesses and judges – and dispute resolution
. A large part of the curriculum focuses on textual analysis and linguistics
, principles of logic and semantics. Almost all the studied texts are in Aramaic or Hebrew, and the program requires a working knowledge of both languages to facilitate the understanding and examination of these sources. In many institutions, this degree is a prerequisite to the study for Semicha
, Rabbinic Ordination
. At accredited institutions this degree requires 120 credit hours of study.
An additional illustration of the use these ancient concepts in modern day use is the precedent in Haley v London Electricity Board, holding liable the owner of such holes or public dangers that may cause injury to unaware passers-by. In Jewish law this concept is known as “pits in public thoroughfares” and has wide-reaching tort implications.
and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
:
1) Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
2) Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools
(AARTS)
3) Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
(ATS)
4) Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
(TRACS)
Since these accreditors meet Council for Higher Education Accreditation
and United States Department of Education
recognition criteria, standards correspond to those of regional accreditors. Contrary to the principles laid out by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
in Transfer and the Public Interest: A Statement to the Community , many regionally accredited institutions continue to base transfer credit decisions solely or primarily upon regional accreditation.
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
, comprising the study, analysis and application of ancient Biblical
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
sources. The laws derived from these texts comprise the origin of many of today’s judicial systems.
The undergraduate program involves studying the legal principles and concepts of Jewish Law, covering civil, criminal and matrimonial law. The course also includes the study of applicable tort
Tort
A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a wrong that involves a breach of a civil duty owed to someone else. It is differentiated from a crime, which involves a breach of a duty owed to society in general...
, property
Property law
Property law is the area of law that governs the various forms of ownership in real property and in personal property, within the common law legal system. In the civil law system, there is a division between movable and immovable property...
and contract law. Furthermore, the program also covers legal jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
, judicial systems – including the validity of witnesses and judges – and dispute resolution
Dispute resolution
Dispute resolution is the process of resolving disputes between parties.-Methods:Methods of dispute resolution include:* lawsuits * arbitration* collaborative law* mediation* conciliation* many types of negotiation* facilitation...
. A large part of the curriculum focuses on textual analysis and linguistics
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
, principles of logic and semantics. Almost all the studied texts are in Aramaic or Hebrew, and the program requires a working knowledge of both languages to facilitate the understanding and examination of these sources. In many institutions, this degree is a prerequisite to the study for Semicha
Semicha
, also , or is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on" or "to be authorized". It generally refers to the ordination of a rabbi within Judaism. In this sense it is the "transmission" of rabbinic authority to give advice or judgment in Jewish law...
, Rabbinic Ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
. At accredited institutions this degree requires 120 credit hours of study.
Examples of case studies
An example of a specific case studied is that of an agricultural business with annual tax obligations, wanting to pay its tithe early, using estimation to evaluate the required amount. Legal discussion is based around the issue of interest charged if the amount proves too high, and extra benefit if the approximated figure falls below that for this years crop. Obviously, such cases have clear parallels to those arising in the English legal system.An additional illustration of the use these ancient concepts in modern day use is the precedent in Haley v London Electricity Board, holding liable the owner of such holes or public dangers that may cause injury to unaware passers-by. In Jewish law this concept is known as “pits in public thoroughfares” and has wide-reaching tort implications.
Accreditation and recognition
In North America, four entities that accredit religious schools in particular are recognized by the United States Department of EducationUnited States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation in order to certify the quality of higher education...
:
1) Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
2) Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools
Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools
The Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools is a faith-based national accreditation association for Rabbinical and Talmudic schools...
(AARTS)
3) Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...
(ATS)
4) Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is a U.S. national educational accreditation agency for Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries...
(TRACS)
Since these accreditors meet Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation in order to certify the quality of higher education...
and United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
recognition criteria, standards correspond to those of regional accreditors. Contrary to the principles laid out by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation in order to certify the quality of higher education...
in Transfer and the Public Interest: A Statement to the Community , many regionally accredited institutions continue to base transfer credit decisions solely or primarily upon regional accreditation.
See also
- Graduate programs in religionGraduate programs in religionIn the United States, graduate departments of religion tend to provide programs for the advanced study of both theology and religious studies. Generally Ph.D. programs exist at universities, but there are some notable seminary exceptions...
- Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic SchoolsAssociation of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic SchoolsThe Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools is a faith-based national accreditation association for Rabbinical and Talmudic schools...
- Master of Rabbinic StudiesMaster of Rabbinic StudiesIn the academic study of Talmud, Jewish Law, Philosophy, Ethics, Rabbinic literature the Master of Rabbinic Studies is a graduate degree granted by a Yeshiva or Rabbinical School....