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I’m surprised that Prager used slavery as an example of moral regressiveness of Judaism. Just as the Torah was the first time these distinctions in sexual relations were set forth, it was also among the first time that chattel slavery was abolished. The slavery described in the Torah is more generally along the lines of indentured servitude, rather than the modern American conception of slavery.

I recommend that you read Leviticus 25:44. This tells the ancient Israelites whom they may enslave and whom they may not (generally other Israelites) and for how long. This biblical passage was oft cited by southerners as a justification for slavery.

After reading the above Text, you may wish to read Exodus 21:20 and 21:21. This tells the ancient Israelites that they will be punished if they beat their slaves and slave girls to death. However, if those ancients were to beat their slaves or slave girls to death slowly over several days, they will suffer no punishment, because they are his property.

Very enlightened, wouldn't you say?

The biblical regulations humanized slavery in a world where it was accepted practice to hold human beings as property. The Bible however, never calls slavery good or suggests in any way its the ideal state of the human condition. On the contrary, it exalts human freedom and places emphasis on the importance of individual dignity before God. The Bible more than any other book in history, changed forever how the world views human nature.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

I await mvpel's reply, since I'm no expert on this topic.

What I do know is that slavery was already an established institution in Israelite society when the Scriptures were being written, and if you follow the moral teachings, which were, I believe, gradually revealed, you will see over a span of time stronger and stronger teachings that incrementally limit or are in tension with slavery ("remember that you, too, were slaves in Egypt" "do not oppress the stranger or the foreigner..") up through, say, Philemon, where Paul tells Philemon to accept his runaway slave Onesimus back, not as a slave but as a dear brother.