Notes for Religious Studies 369:

Introduction to Judaism

Basic Concepts from

S. Daniel Breslauer, Understanding Judaism through History

Modern Judaism

Neo-Orthodoxy

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888)

• Early in his career he appears to have adopted the "Reform" style: Clerical robes, use of choir, shaved beard, sermons in German, encouraged study of the Bible, opposed Talmudic "hairsplitting" dialectics (pilpul), abolished Kol Nidré (ceremony for annulment of vows on Yom Kippur).
• 1836--Published The Nineteen Letters [Hebrew title: Iggerot Tzafon ("Northern Letters")], a fictitious exchange of letters between a master (the young Rabbi-philosopher Naphtali) and a young intellectual (Benjamin) upholding the rationality of traditional Judaism.
• 1838--Published Choreb, a rational explanation of the 613 commandments of the Torah.
• 1841--Moved to Emden as "Landesrabbiner." Conducted campaign against Reform. First formulated his doctrine of "Torah im Derekh Eretz," the combination of Torah and secular culture.
• 1846--Appointed chief Rabbi of Moravia, Austria. Moves to Nikolsburg.
• 1848--Actively and successfully campaigned before Austrian Parliament for Jewish legal emancipation.
• Resigns his prestigious office to accept the leadership of the beleagurered traditionalist community (Adass Yeshurun) in Frankfort a. M.
• Initiated withdrawal of the minority Orthodox community from the general Jewish "Gemeind" that was dominated by the Reform.
• Hirsch's first priority was to establish religious schools. Works to strengthen traditional religious institutions.
• Hirsch's community becomes model for similar projects in Mainz, Darmstadt, Berlin.
• 1867-78--Composed his Commentary on the Pentateuch, developed his symbolic exegetical approach.
• 1871-3--Hirsch fought to have the Orthodox minority recognized by the Prussian government as separate congregations.
  1876--Prussian parliament passes "Law of Secession (Austritt)" allowing creation of independent traditionalist communities.
• 1885-6--Founded the "Freie Vereinigung für die Interessen des Orthodoxen Judentums" (Free Union for the Interests of Orthodox Judaism), an alliance of traditionalist Jewish communities throughout Europe.
• 1888--Died in Frankfort a. M.

Main Teachings

• Torah im Derekh Eretz

  Integration of traditional Judaism with secular education (equated with German literature and culture).

  • Believed that "style" and externals could be changed, but did not allow major changes in Jewish religious law or traditional beliefs.
  • Ideal of "Israel-Mensch": Enlightened religious personality.
  • Established schools on modern lines.

• Divine Origins of Torah

• Emphasis on total Divinity of Torah, even where we cannot completely understand it.
• Jewish religious law is not subject to historical development or change.
• Opposed historical model of religious development.
• Humanity requires history in order to evolve towards a recognition of "Truth." However Israel was given the truth from the start.

• Exegetical Method

  • "Speculative etymology" as means to explain the reasons for the Biblical precepts.
  • The commandments contain symbolic teachings.

• Jewish Peoplehood

  • Generally ambivalent attitude towards Jewish nationalism, Zionism: Remained completely loyal to the German state.
  • Regarded Torah as the ultimate purpose of Jewish peoplehood.
  • Encouraged retention of Hebrew in order to insure continuity and uniformity of Jews in different lands.
  • The ideal of voluntary membership in Jewish communities brought about changes in the role of the Rabbi and the process of legal decisions: The Rabbi only had to speak for those who had chosen to accept his authority, therefore law could be interpreted and applied in a much more demanding and stringent manner.

Click here to read Hirsch's essay "Religion Allied to Progress"