Haskalah
1
9.9
- noun
- /hɑːs.kəˈlɑː/
- The distinctiveness of this southern region increased the receptivity of Jews in that region to both Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah) thought and to Russian populism.
- Haskalah, or Jewish Enlightenment
- Haskalah Jewish
Examples
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The principles of the Haskalah emphasized the importance of rational thought and learning in Jewish communities across Europe.
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The revival started in Hebrew literature of the Haskalah (Enlightenment) in the nineteenth century.
Academic text (2009) -
The writers of the Haskalah admired the beautiful Bible above all other historical layers of Hebrew (notably the ugly and "boring" Talmud).
Academic text (2009) -
Sacher-Masoch's tale of science and the Jews reflects the siren song of the Haskalah, which perhaps even more than the general Enlightenment saw science as the path of escape from the darkness of the ghetto into the bright light of modern culture.
Academic text (1990) -
The movement, founded in 1881 in Odessa, merged the emphasis of the Haskalah on economic normalization with populist agrarian philosophies.
Academic text (1992) -
The Haskalah movement encouraged Jewish students to embrace secular education and modern culture in 19th century Europe.
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During the Haskalah, many Jewish thinkers sought ways to integrate into the wider society while preserving their cultural identity.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Haskalah comes from the Hebrew word sekhel, meaning 'reason' or 'understanding', the same idea behind English words like 'wise' or 'wisdom'. It was the name for a Jewish movement that pushed for modern education and joining wider society, so Haskalah today means a kind of 'enlightenment' and a desire to learn and take part in modern life.