Bidspirit auction | Sharply Written Hashkafa Essay by

Sharply Written Hashkafa Essay by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the State of Judaism in France – Frankfurt, 1866 * A manuscript comprising six leaves in the clear handwriting of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, the illustrious leader of German Jewry and brilliant expositor of Torah hashkafa, Av Beis Din of the Adas Yeshurun community in Frankfurt am Main. At that time, elections were being held for the position of Chief Rabbi of France, which Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch viewed as a critical turning point in the fate of French Jewry. He therefore wrote an eloquent and incisive essay describing the state of Judaism in France and the obligation of G-d fearing Jews to support the election of an Orthodox rabbi faithful to authentic Torah values. In the essay, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch decries the dismal state of a Judaism in which anyone can choose the rabbinic leadership, in sharp contrast to every scientific discipline whose questions are decided solely by qualified experts. He therefore calls upon those devoted to Torah-true Judaism to step forward in defense of their families and the future of Torah life. Indeed, in the 1867 elections, Rabbi Isidore Lazare (grandson of the author of Sha’ar Naftali of Winzenheim) was elected Chief Rabbi. He was an opponent of the Reform movement and served in that position until his passing in 1888. Presented here is a complete draft containing part of a broad essay of fifteen pages, originally written section by section, as is evident from comparison with the printed version. The printed text differs slightly. The complete essay was printed in the journal Jeschurun, Frankfurt, 1866, year 12, issue 9, pages 281–295 (photograph attached). The title of the essay, translated loosely, is: “A Further Appeal Regarding the Appointment of a Chief Rabbi for France.” Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808–1888) was the “guardian of Khal Adath Jeshurun in Frankfurt.” He fought against the Reform and endeavored mightily to safeguard the nation from the clutches of the Enlightenment and assimilation. Rabbi Hirsch was a prolific author whose writings on Torah philosophy and education left an everlasting impact on Ashkenazic Jewry. Frankfurt am Main, 1866. Six pages in the handwriting of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, with deletions and corrections. Size : Approx. 17 x 21 cm. Condition : Good, with stains and folding marks. Bound in a fine new leather binding. The article, printed in German in 1866 The article in Hebrew