10. The Birth of the Haskalah in Ashkenaz
Jewish History Lectures
The lecture explores the emergence of the Haskalah movement in Ashkenaz, examining how this Jewish Enlightenment period influenced Jewish life and thought in the region. Originating in the late 18th century, the Haskalah aimed to modernize Jewish culture by encouraging education, integration into European society, and the study of secular subjects alongside traditional Jewish texts. This intellectual movement sought to cultivate reason and knowledge as a means to improve Jewish life and foster dialogue with surrounding cultures. The lecture provides insights into the cultural and philosophical shifts that marked this period of transformation within Ashkenazi communities.