[1K Yrs of Jewish History] Ep19 - Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786)

Summary

Moses Mendelssohn (1729–1786) is considered the founder of Jewish modernity, bridging Jewish tradition with Enlightenment philosophy. Born in poverty, he became a self-educated intellectual in Berlin, where he won a philosophical essay contest against Immanuel Kant. His key works, *Jerusalem* and the *Beor* Bible translation, sought to reconcile Jewish law with reason, making Judaism compatible with modern thought. Despite his success as a thinker, his descendants largely left Judaism, though his ideas influenced various branches of modern Judaism. Mendelssohn's efforts to modernize Judaism laid the groundwork for the Jewish Enlightenment, shaping Jewish intellectual life for generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786) is considered the founder of Jewish modernity and symbolized the transition of Western European Jewry from pre-modernity to modernity.
• 😀 Mendelssohn was born into a poor family, with his father being a scribe. He received a traditional Jewish education but later taught himself European philosophy and knowledge.
• 😀 He was discovered by Isaac Bernhard, a wealthy Jewish merchant, who brought him to Berlin to tutor his children, where Mendelssohn’s brilliance caught the attention of intellectual society.
• 😀 Despite being a second-class citizen in Berlin, Mendelssohn's intellectual prowess led him to win a philosophical essay competition against the great philosopher Immanuel Kant.
• 😀 Mendelssohn's major works included *Fido*, based on Plato’s dialogue about the immortality of the soul, and *Jerusalem*, in which he articulated his philosophy of Judaism compatible with Enlightenment thought.
• 😀 He argued that Judaism, while remaining a revealed religion with its laws, could be rationally understood like any other intellectual discipline. He separated rational beliefs from revealed law in his theological framework.
• 😀 Mendelssohn famously contended that coercion had no place in Jewish law, opposing the traditional practice of excommunication, and advocating for religious freedom within Jewish communities.
• 😀 His work *Beor*, a translation of the Torah into German using Hebrew characters, was an attempt to help Jews adopt the German language and integrate into contemporary German society.
• 😀 Mendelssohn is recognized as the leader of the Haskalah, the Jewish Enlightenment movement, which sought to modernize Jewish thought while preserving traditional religious practices.
• 😀 Although Mendelssohn’s own children and most of his students converted to Christianity, his intellectual legacy remains influential in the development of modern Jewish movements, from Reform to Conservative to modern Orthodox Judaism.

Q & A

Who is Moses Mendelssohn, and why is he significant in Jewish history?

Moses Mendelssohn, born in 1729, is considered the founder of Jewish modernity. He played a pivotal role in transitioning Jewish thought from pre-modernity to modernity in Western Europe, advocating for the compatibility of Judaism with Enlightenment philosophy while remaining a devout and observant Jew.

What was Mendelssohn's early background and education?

Mendelssohn came from a poor family with his father being a scribe. He received a basic Jewish education but was largely self-taught in European philosophy and wisdom, which helped him gain recognition for his intellectual prowess.

How did Moses Mendelssohn's move to Berlin influence his career?

Mendelssohn's move to Berlin was facilitated by a wealthy Jewish merchant, Isaac Bernhard, who recognized his talents. Despite entering Berlin through a gate reserved for Jews, Mendelssohn’s intellectual abilities garnered attention from Prussian intellectuals and even King Frederick the Great.

What was the significance of the philosophical essay competition between Mendelssohn and Kant?

Mendelssohn won a prestigious philosophical essay competition, defeating Immanuel Kant, which solidified his reputation as a leading philosopher of his time.

What are Mendelssohn’s most important philosophical contributions?

Mendelssohn’s most important works include 'Jerusalem,' where he set out his philosophy of Judaism, and his edition of the Torah ('Beor'), which contained both a translation of the Torah into German and philosophical explanations of Jewish teachings.

How did Mendelssohn view the relationship between reason, revelation, and Jewish law?

Mendelssohn believed that Judaism was a religion of reason but required revelation for the law. He argued that Jewish beliefs could be deduced through rational thought, but the specific laws were revealed by God, which required Torah as guidance.

What controversial view did Mendelssohn hold about coercion within Jewish law?

Mendelssohn argued that coercion had no place in Jewish law, a position that challenged the traditional authority of the rabbis to excommunicate individuals, such as the case with Spinoza’s excommunication.

What was the purpose of Mendelssohn’s translation of the Torah into German?

Mendelssohn's translation of the Torah into German, using Hebrew characters, was aimed at encouraging Jews to adopt the German language and integrate into modern European society while maintaining their Jewish identity.

What is the Haskalah movement, and how is Mendelssohn connected to it?

The Haskalah was the Jewish Enlightenment of the 18th century, and Mendelssohn is seen as its creator. His efforts to reconcile traditional Judaism with modern European thought helped shape the intellectual foundations of the movement.

What was the long-term impact of Mendelssohn’s teachings on his descendants and the broader Jewish community?

While Mendelssohn’s immediate family largely converted to Christianity, his philosophical contributions had a lasting impact on modern Jewish thought, influencing all forms of modern Judaism, including Reform, Conservative, and Modern Orthodoxy.