In his legal history of the rabbinic profession from biblical to modern times, Jeffrey I. Roth traces the development of principles governing compensation and related benefits for rabbis, scholars, teachers, and judges under Jewish law. Roth focuses on the disconnect that evolved as rabbis wished to serve God and their communities yet needed to provide for the material needs of their families. He charts the shift from the Talmudic ideal of uncompensated service and follows the development of four material advantages sought by the rabbinic profession--compensation, protection against competition, principles of tenure in office, and inheritance rights.