Avoid stereotyping and sweeping generalities, such as defining whole groups behavior by the behavior of some. Avoid words of incitement. Not surprisingly, the most controversy centered around the final chapter of his book 'Toward a Non-Fundamentalist Halakhah'. The new edition of R. Jacob's work responds to these critiques, and updates other areas of the book. Its thesis is that one can historically study Jewish law, from ancient times to the present, as an evolving and coherent system.
Much stress is laid on the relationship between ethics and law, and how they influence each other.
Its most unqiue characteristic is that it is written in such a way as to compare and contrast halakha with American Constitutional law. Jewish and American legal systems and tecnhiques are compared and contrasted, with detailed excerpts of laws, with each illuminating the other. Bemoaning this fact, he suggests that the Reform movement should work towards creating a code of Reform Jewish belief and practice. Traditionally Israel started with harut, the commandment engraved upon the Tablets, which then became freedom. Because one of the guiding principles of Reform Judaism is the autonomy of the individual.