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Name:
Moses Mendelssohn
Dates:
Born: September 6, 1729 in Dessau, Germany
Died: 1786
Biography:
Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786), valuing reason above revelation and tradition, worked
to bring secular ways of thinking to those living a generally Orthodox Jewish life in
Germany. Although he himself had received a very traditional education, he expanded
his perspective on life by devouring the works of various philosophers and other
secular writers.
Mendelssohn truly believed that reason could allow one to arrive at valid religious truths, but he also believed that Judaism was unique among world religions because of its revealed code of divine laws. Today he is widely regarded as the father of the Haskalah, or Jewish enlightenment.
Mendelssohn was also an important figure in the wider age of European Englightenment because of his advocacy of Jews living in and being a part of German society, rather than remaining forever outsiders and separate. Because of such work he became the inspiration for the character Nathan in famous Lessing play "Nathan der Weise," or Nathan the Wise.
Also Known As: Moses ben Maimon
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
