textualism

Originalism and Ancient Rabbinic Exegesis

| January 9, 2025
Supremecourtmoe

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the transmission of fire.” (Gustav Mahler, 1860 – 1911) The first official prayer in America’s newly-constituted Continental Congress took place in September 1774. Through this event, Congress firmly emphasized the religious ethos of America’s founding. In particular, primacy and honour was accorded to the 3,000 year-old Hebrew scriptures …

Contra Historicist Originalism

| July 16, 2021
Flickr USCapitol Washingtons Inauguration 1789

In his exclusive, inaugural piece, Hammer responds to Professor Stephanie Barclay’s recent article about the non-partisan nature of originalism. Hammer claims that Professor Barclay misrepresents the contemporary right-of-center alternatives to originalism and that these emerging strands better represent our Founding philosophy.

Anchoring Truths
Anchoring Truths is a James Wilson Institute project
The James Wilson Institute’s Mission is to restore to a new generation of lawyers, judges, and citizens the understanding of the American Founders about the first principles of our law and the moral grounds of their own rights.
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