Samson Raphael Hirsch

A speech given in 1909, upon the 100th anniversary from Hirsch's birth, by two Reform rabbis. Hirsch's life, works and philosophy are examined and criticised in this short volume. (As a word of caution to readers, these rabbis belonged to a school of thought which vehemently opposed Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch and which he, in turn, debated against at great length. It is no surprise, therefore, to find strong bias in their arguments, as well as criticisms of Hirsch which amount almost to insult, and a distortion of the facts of his life, his views and his teachings. Simply put, these are the words of Hirsch's enemies, and though they claim to pay great respect to him, they can not resist bashing his ideas, which are so greatly opposed to their own.) The book is of great interest, nevertheless, but it must not be taken as an unbiased and impartial record, nor should the 'facts' written in it be accepted as such unless they can be verified in other sources. It is, however, very informative and useful as a window in time, a glimpse of the battle of philosophies which went on in those days between the Orthodox Jews and the Reformers, an argument which has not been resolved even in modern times.