Jewish History of the 18th Century: Revelation & Revolution #3 -Collected Talks of David Solomon #76
In this podcast episode, David examines a phase in 18th century Jewish history that he calls the 'zenith of rabbinics' for its extraordinary collection of learned rabbis. Among this ensemble of remarkable figures, one man towered over the rest - Elijah, the Vilna Gaon.
The Gra, as the Gaon of Vilna was also known, was an unparalleled prodigy in Jewish textual study and methodology, with an almost incomprehensible knowledge of Torah. David explores the life and contribution of the Gra and why he is one of the most revered Torah scholars of the past millennium. He also discusses the life and work of the Gra's greatest student, Rabbi Chayim of Volozhim.
The 18th century also saw the rise of a new phenomenon in Jewish history, known as the Haskalah, the Jewish Enlightenment. Two enormously important figures to launch this seismic shift in Jewish life were the philosophers:
- Moses Mendelssohn, often called the father of the Haskalah, and
- Salomon Maimon.
Other intellectuals of note in the early days of the Haskalah that David mentions were:
- David Friedlander
- Solomon Dubno
- Naphtali Herz Wessely.
Through the story of these impressive intellectual figures, David paints a picture of the historical circumstances, rights, challenges, and emerging opportunities for 18th century European Jews.
Providing background to this discussion, he also explores the legal and political reforms of:
- Frederick the Great
- Joseph II.
David concludes with a discussion of another important figure from the 18th century, Meyer Amschel Rothschild, founder of an unprecedented banking dynasty. As a result of its tremendous business success, the Rothschild family pioneered a new type of Jewish participation and influence in broader society, stretching to the highest echelons of the European establishment.
David presented this lecture, part three of his series on Jewish history of the 18th century, in 2016 at the Jewish Museum of Australia. For other episodes in the series go to:
Part One: https://youtu.be/2zsFFzlspyQ
Part Two: https://youtu.be/zopCHTTexsc
Part Four: https://youtu.be/saEDQFGaKRk
David is also renowned for his Jewish history lecture, The Whole of Jewish History in One Hour https://youtu.be/GUlM2a2tsOM
Find more of David Solomon's podcast, with dozens of lectures on Jewish history, the Bible, Jewish philosophy, and Kabbalah at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPZc8ZC7r568Er1pwL8ZiLbU1tV6PFf4L
Learn more at davidsolomon.online
Images used in this video
Youtube cover – comprising images below and a picture of David by Stephan Rohl under CC licensing http://www.stephan-roehl.de
Large image: Mendelssohn, Lavater and Lessing, in an imaginary portrait by the Jewish artist Moritz Daniel Oppenheim (1856). Collection of the Judah L. Magnes Museum. Public domain.
Small image: Adolf Behrman, Talmud readers. Public domain.
The Gra, as the Gaon of Vilna was also known, was an unparalleled prodigy in Jewish textual study and methodology, with an almost incomprehensible knowledge of Torah. David explores the life and contribution of the Gra and why he is one of the most revered Torah scholars of the past millennium. He also discusses the life and work of the Gra's greatest student, Rabbi Chayim of Volozhim.
The 18th century also saw the rise of a new phenomenon in Jewish history, known as the Haskalah, the Jewish Enlightenment. Two enormously important figures to launch this seismic shift in Jewish life were the philosophers:
- Moses Mendelssohn, often called the father of the Haskalah, and
- Salomon Maimon.
Other intellectuals of note in the early days of the Haskalah that David mentions were:
- David Friedlander
- Solomon Dubno
- Naphtali Herz Wessely.
Through the story of these impressive intellectual figures, David paints a picture of the historical circumstances, rights, challenges, and emerging opportunities for 18th century European Jews.
Providing background to this discussion, he also explores the legal and political reforms of:
- Frederick the Great
- Joseph II.
David concludes with a discussion of another important figure from the 18th century, Meyer Amschel Rothschild, founder of an unprecedented banking dynasty. As a result of its tremendous business success, the Rothschild family pioneered a new type of Jewish participation and influence in broader society, stretching to the highest echelons of the European establishment.
David presented this lecture, part three of his series on Jewish history of the 18th century, in 2016 at the Jewish Museum of Australia. For other episodes in the series go to:
Part One: https://youtu.be/2zsFFzlspyQ
Part Two: https://youtu.be/zopCHTTexsc
Part Four: https://youtu.be/saEDQFGaKRk
David is also renowned for his Jewish history lecture, The Whole of Jewish History in One Hour https://youtu.be/GUlM2a2tsOM
Find more of David Solomon's podcast, with dozens of lectures on Jewish history, the Bible, Jewish philosophy, and Kabbalah at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPZc8ZC7r568Er1pwL8ZiLbU1tV6PFf4L
Learn more at davidsolomon.online
Images used in this video
Youtube cover – comprising images below and a picture of David by Stephan Rohl under CC licensing http://www.stephan-roehl.de
Large image: Mendelssohn, Lavater and Lessing, in an imaginary portrait by the Jewish artist Moritz Daniel Oppenheim (1856). Collection of the Judah L. Magnes Museum. Public domain.
Small image: Adolf Behrman, Talmud readers. Public domain.
David Solomon
Published on Thu, March 18th 2021