Introduction

This introductory chapter defines the key terms and methodology through which the book will be analyzed. It begins with defining “third-party peacemaking and Jewish “rabbinic literature.” Then lays out the flow and structure of the various chapters of the book. The chapter then defines the various types of case studies to be examined in the book, consisting of “legends,” “historical accounts,” and ‘stories.” Finally, the chapter concludes with defining the three-layered methodology through which each case study will be analyzed: “text,” “theory,” and ‘practice.”

Judaism’s Paradigmatic Third-Party Peacemaker

This chapter explores the various legends of Aaron, the High Priest and older brother of Moses in the Bible, as the paradigmatic pursuer of peace in classical rabbinic literature. The chapter traces and defines Aaron’s identity and methods as a third-party peacemaker through exploring the foundational early-rabbinic texts that describe him as such, together with centuries of rabbinic commentaries on them which are often of equal significance in establishing normative precedent for Jews today. The first part of the chapter focuses on Aaron’s identity as the ideal peacemaker in Judaism, and the second part examines legends that tell of his peacemaking methods.

Conclusion

The final chapter serves as conclusion to the book and examines the core conceptual questions through which the various case studies of third-party peacemakers were presented through the book, as well as identifying both common trends and variations between them. The core conceptual questions include: What was the social status of the third-party peacemakers and connection to the sides in conflict? Who took the initiative to intervene? Did the peacemakers bring the sides to a compromise agreement? Did they reconcile the conflict sides, and if so, how? The chapter concludes with a discussion on the scope of third-party peacemaking in Judaism, and the implications for today.

Rodfei Shalom, Metavkhei Shalom, Pashranim, and Nikhbadim

This chapter examines historical accounts and stories of non-rabbinic Jewish lay leaders who served as third-party peacemakers within their communities as found in medieval and early modern rabbinic literature. As opposed to the rabbis of whom the identities of almost all were known, lay leaders who served as third-party peacemakers are almost entirely anonymous. They were, however, often referred to with quasi-titles to signify their role as third-party peacemakers. The chapter is therefore divided into four primary sections based on these various titles used to refer to lay peacemakers. The chapter also includes a discussion on the imperative in Jewish law and tradition of lay people to serve as third-party peacemakers or mediators.

From Rabbi Yosef Syracusty to Rabbi Nissi al-Nahrawani

This chapter presents eight historical accounts and stories of rabbis or a group of rabbis who served as third-party peacemakers in medieval and early-modern rabbinic literature. The chapter is divided into three subsections based on the status and degree of success of the third party. The first section focuses on successful third-party rabbinic peacemakers with high social status, the second on unsuccessful rabbinic peacemakers who possessed less social status, and the third explores exceptions to this assertion. The chapter also includes a discussion about the responsibility of the rabbi to serve as a peacemaker or mediator in Jewish law and tradition.

From Rabbi Meir to Beruria

Aaron is not the only example of a third-party peacemaker in classical rabbinic literature. In this chapter, eight additional legends found in classic rabbinic literature of third-party peacemakers are presented. The chapter begins with the case perhaps most similar to Aaron, that of Rabbi Meir, and ends with the case most different from Aaron, that of simple jesters. It also discusses two cases of women serving as third parties, which differ from all other examples of third-party peacemakers presented in this book. Many of these legends, like those of Aaron, have served as important sources of inspiration for subsequent generations to engage in peacemaking.

From Muhammad to Sulha

This chapter establishes the theoretical lens through which the case studies of third-party peacemakers in Judaism can be analyzed. The chapter begins by reviewing the study of religion and peacebuilding in general, and Judaism and conflict resolution in particular. Examples are provided of research conducted in religious peacebuilding and paradigmatic peacemakers in other religious traditions, such as the prophet Muhammad in Islam. In the second part of the chapter, the literature relating to traditional cultural models of conflict resolution and peacemaking is surveyed, focusing on the traditional Arab-Islamic process of sulha and how it compares to modern-Western models of conflict resolution and reconciliation.