Samson Raphael Hirsch (June 20, 1808 - December 31, 1888) was a German rabbi active in Germany and Moravia. His philosophy--along with the ideas of Azriel Hildesheimer—which was sometimes referred to as Neo-Orthodoxy, had a considerable influence on the development of Orthodox Judaism. He is considered one of the spiritual fathers of Modern Orthodoxy. His concept of “Torah im Derech Eretz” is still regarded to be one of the cornerstones of contemporary Modern Orthodox Judaism. Hirsch was born in 1808 in Hamburg. His father was a petty salesman, but was heavily devoted to the study of the Torah. Samson’s grandfather, Mendel Frankfurter, founded the Talmud Tora in Hamburg and was an unpaid helper of a rabbi in the neighboring congregation in Altona. Hirsch’s great-great-grandfather, Löb Frankfurter, wrote several Hebrew works, including a commentary on the Torah called “Ha-rechasim le-bik'ah“. Samson attended public German schools and was very familiar with European culture and philosophy. He had also received traditional Jewish education. He was convinced that Jewish traditions and the Jewish way of life were compatible with Western European culture and sciences. The propagation of this idea has become his life-long mission and passion. Thus, he decided to pursuit a rabbinical career. Between 1923 and 1929 he studied at a traditional Talmud seminary in Manheim then continued at the University of Bonn. Interestingly enough, one of his fellow students was Abraham Geiger, future head of the early reform Judaism–which Hirsch strongly opposed. Hirsch served as a rabbi in the German Jewish communities of Oldenburg (between 1830 and 1836) and Emden (1836 to 1841). Subsequently, he was appointed the chief rabbi of Moravia and Austrian Silesia. Ten years later – from 1851 until his death – he led a breakaway Orthodox community of Frankfurt am Main, the so-called “Frankfurter Austritt Gemeinde”. Hirsch wrote a number of influential works. For several years, he published the monthly magazine called “Jeschurun”, in which he tried to outline his philosophy and understanding of Judaism. He vehemently opposed Reform Judaism and all other early forms of conservative Judaism too. He believed that living according to the principles of the micvot did not contradict being a loyal German modern citizen. In 1836 he published - under the pseudonym Ben Usiel - a book called "Nineteen Letters on Judaism" or the "Neunzehn Briefe über Judenthum". It was a breakthrough work in the Jewish world – a rigid defense of traditional Judaism and its principles written in a modern language so it could reach out to contemporary scholars. The publication of the Nineteen Letters is generally considered to be the the birth of Neo-Orthodoxy or Modern Orthodox Judaism as it is called today. In addition to working for the congregation, he intensively devoted himself to publishing activities. For years he acted as the chief editor of the Jeschurun magazine published in Frankfurt and attained popularity far beyond the city. Hirsch also compiled a good number of books, in which he argued that German way of life is in no conflict with basic principles of the Jewish tradition. Among other things, he published the German translation and interpretation of the Torah and Psalms and a translation of the Siddur into German – with an explanation. He was engaged also in the field of education. He died on the last day of 1888 in Frankfurt.
All his life was commitied to trying to reconcile Jewish tradition with modern education. He enforced the approach called tora im derech erec. This term refers to the tractate of Pirkei Avot (2:2), which encourages to combine the wisdom of the Torah with daily employment. For Hirsch, his “Derech Eretz“ ideas were not merely scholarly studies, but rather an entire philosophical approach on how Jews should engage in emerging modern European societies while still preserving the Jewish values and way of life taught by the Torah. His thoughts are still a major source of inspiration for modern orthodoxy. He is buried at the Jewish Cemetery of Frankfurt, in the Austritt Gemeinde section. His kever is a popular pilgrimage site for many Jews implying the principles of “Torah im Derech Eretz“ in their daily life. If you agree with his principles and are traveling to Germany for a kosher river cruise or a tour, do consider making quick visit to his grave to pay some respects.
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