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Pamphlet addressing issues in R. Samson (Ben) Raphael Hirsch’s Horeb. The first line of the title is in Hebrew îçåøá, the subtitle and remaining text is in German, beginning Concerning Israel’s Obligations. It informs that the text of the pamphlet is in question and answer format on part III [of Horeb] on Hukim. The verso of the title page has the contents of the sixteen questions raised and responded to by Bing. They are listed in German with brief Hebrew explanations. Examples of the questions, all on mizvot that are Hukim (commandments without rational explanations), are 1. der Dinge als Gottes Eigenthum (Bernichte Richts) (áì úùçéù), 6) des Meuchen=Leichnames (÷áåøä), 10) der Sittenreinheit (Verbot der Unzucht) (àéñø æðåú), 13) der Spiesegesetze (îàëìåú àñéøåú), and 16) der Regel der Wehrzahl (øåá, çæ÷ä, åñô÷ ñô÷ä). The text is in a single column in German (fraktur) with occasional Hebrew.
R. Samson (Ben) Raphael Hirsch’s (1808–1888) is recognized as the father of neo-Orthodoxy, a response to reform in nineteenth century Germany. Horeb, a monumental work, is a rationalist explanation of the 613 commandments. Together with his earlier and briefer Nineteen Letters, it was designed for young men and women with a consciousness of Judaism. R. Hirsch laid down his basic views on Judaism which were elaborated and explained in his subsequent writings. These works made a profound impression in German Jewish circles for their brilliant intellectual presentation, in classic German, of Orthodox Judaism. |
