UPDATED: RUSSIA TO BAN ANCIENT JEWISH LEGAL CODE?

Russia's State Prosecutor Orders Probe of Jewish Law Code for Anti-Russian Incitement - Amiram Barkat
Russia's state prosecutor has ordered an examination of the Shulhan Arukh, a 16th century code of Jewish law, in a probe of the Congress of Jewish Organizations, which distributes an abridged version in Russian. Last Thursday, the Russian State Prosecutor's Office questioned Rabbi Zinovy Kogan, chairman of the Jewish umbrella organization, about the contents of the volume, especially regarding its treatment of non-Jews. The inquiry was launched following a letter signed by 500 public figures, including some 20 members of the nationalist Rodina party, urging the state prosecutor to outlaw the Jewish religion and all Jewish organizations operating in Russia. Israeli Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin opened Monday's session by condemning the Russian decision. (Ha'aretz)

UPDATE: Russia Prosecutors Drop Jewish Text Inquiry - Henry Meyer
Prosecutors in Moscow dropped an inquiry Tuesday into whether a Russian translation of an ancient Jewish text incites national and religious hatred. Rabbi Berel Lazar said he had contacted prosecutors to explain that the Shulhan Arukh, a code of Jewish law compiled by Rabbi Joseph Caro in the mid-16th century, was not aimed at non-Jews, and to complain that officials seeking the probe had "anti-Semitic sentiments." (AP/Washington Post)

"There's no reason to persecute a whole sector of society because of religious texts held sacred to them. The decision to launch an investigation was a mistake," said a source at the attorney general's office. (Ha'aretz)