Analysis of the rabbinic usage of "because of the ways of peace"

Abstract

Rabbinic Literature highlights the pursuit of a peaceful and just society. This paper argues that contemporary modes of discourse have utility in understanding the social problems that the Rabbis sought to solve. By reading and interpreting a specific rabbinic decree justified as Mipnai Darchei Shalom "because of the ways of peace" (MDS), this paper demonstrates that the understanding of specific rabbinic laws can be enhanced by using contemporary terms such as "groups", "power" and contemporary definitions such as "human, cultural and individual values". The desire to minimize and resolve social conflict sheds light on the sages pursuing an ordered society, much as society aspires to do today.