This collection of texts--ranging from biblical excerpts, to rabbinical writings, to the writings of Jewish philosophers--deals with the problem of authority in Jewish life, the relationship between political and divine authority, the difficulties of being a minority and exercising rule, and the question of the relationship of the religious tradition to the political realm. Subsequent volumes will address questions of membership (who is a Jew?), community (what do Jews have in common, and how do they order their communal life?), and, finally, politics and history, exploring the theological and political difficulties of a religion founded upon ideas of exile and redemption. Beautifully organized, carefully presented, the series will be immensely useful not only for Jews, but anyone interested in the history of ideas and religion.