The Jewish Enlightenment (Jewish Culture and Contexts) by Shmuel Feiner (PDF)

Description

At the beginning of the eighteenth century most European Jews lived in restricted settlements and urban ghettos, isolated from the surrounding dominant Christian cultures not only by law but also by language, custom, and dress. By the end of the century urban, upwardly mobile Jews had shaved their beards and abandoned Yiddish in favor of the languages of the countries in which they lived. They began to participate in secular culture and they embraced rationalism and non-Jewish education as supplements to traditional Talmudic studies. The full participation of Jews in modern Europe and America would be unthinkable without the intellectual and social revolution that was the Haskalah, or Jewish Enlightenment.Unparalleled in scale and comprehensiveness, The Jewish Enlightenment reconstructs the intellectual and social revolution of the Haskalah as it gradually gathered momentum throughout the eighteenth century. Relying on a huge range of previously unexplored sources, Shmuel Feiner fully views the Haskalah as the Jewish version of the European Enlightenment and, as such, a movement that cannot be isolated from broader eighteenth-century European traditions. Critically, he views the Haskalah as a truly European phenomenon and not one simply centered in Germany. He also shows how the republic of letters in European Jewry provided an avenue of secularization for Jewish society and culture, sowing the seeds of Jewish liberalism and modern ideology and sparking the Orthodox counterreaction that culminated in a clash of cultures within the Jewish community. The Haskalah’s confrontations with its opponents within Jewry constitute one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of the dramatic and traumatic encounter between the Jews and modernity.The Haskalah is one of the central topics in modern Jewish historiography. With its scope, erudition, and new analysis, The Jewish Enlightenment now provides the most comprehensive treatment of this major cultural movement.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The Jewish Enlightenment is the story of a largely forgotten movement within late eighteenth century Ashkenazic Jewry. While most are aware of the modern division into the Orthodox and those Jews who do not feel bound by all the laws of the Torah, the Jewish enlightenment actually followed a distinct path.The Jews of this movement conceived of a religion that was fully faithful to the ideas of the Aufklarung and at the same time faithful to their particular tradition. Of course, there were diverse opinions within the movement ranging from Deism to almost full embrace of the Talmud. But all thought that Jews could retain their particular customs while becoming full citizens of Enlightened Europe.They urged an education where Hebrew literature could be combined with the arts and sciences of the Gentiles. To promote their cause they opened printing presses, fraternal clubs and an attack upon rabbinical clericalism.Of course, most modern Jews retain their identity while more or less fully assimilating into their particular national culture. But this other alternative is perhaps worth rediscovering in an era where Jews fear the dwindling of their numbers caused by indifference towards religion.And, it should be noted, the conflicts between the rabbis and the enlightened parallel the battles within Protestantism and Catholicism taking place at the same time. The movement is then of more than sectarian interest.Well written, thoroughly researched and of perennial interest. Highly recommended.

⭐Anyone who wants to understand Judaism as it exists today should read this excellent history of the Enlightenment period from 1780-1800. At times this book was difficult to put down. All the major players in this movement are covered in depth. I found particular interest in the titles and subjects of the many books produced in this period. The only parts that were a little dry were the discussions of the by-laws and internal politics of the Enlightenment societies. Otherwise, I was sorry when this book ended – I wanted to know what happens next!

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