| In this work, Marx considers the question of how the Jewish sources, such as the Bible, the Talmud, and the rabbinic literature and responsa, approach the question of disability. This subject has previously received little scholarly attention, or for that matter, little attention from rabbinic authorities. The book is thus breaking new, and sensitive, ground in posing the question of the degree to which the seminal works of Jewish law are aware of, and empathetic towards, the challenges faced by the disabled. He shows that there is a high level of awareness of disability in the Jewish sources, and that the constraints of different disabilities (blindness, deafness, muteness, infertility, mental disability, etc.)are frequently invoked by the sources. Although the perspective of the ancient and medieval rabbis certainly differs from our own, in terms of awareness of the potential for successfully remediating disabilities and handicaps, Marx demonstrates that if the law determines that a disability does not impact the ability of an individual to discharge his obligations with respect to observance of commandments, the mitzvot, it does not exempt the disabled individual. He argues that the main area there must be development of the halakha as regards the disabled is where educational, medical and technological advances make it possible for the disabled to observe precepts where they were physically unable to do so prior to these discoveries. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to understand the halakha's position vis-a-vis the disabled, and how the interests of the disabled can be championed in full conformity with the principles and traditions of Jewish law. |
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