Zecharias Frankel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zecharias Frankel |
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| Religion | Judaism |
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| Born | 30 September 1801 Prague, Bohemia |
| Died | 13 February 1875 (aged 73) Breslau, Silesia, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland) |
| Spouse | Rachel Maier |
Zecharias Frankel (born September 30, 1801 – died February 13, 1875) was an important Jewish leader. He was a rabbi and a historian from Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. He studied how Judaism developed over time.
Frankel was born in Prague and later passed away in Wrocław (then called Breslau). He started a new way of thinking about Judaism called "positive-historical Judaism." This idea supported studying Jewish traditions freely while still respecting old beliefs and practices. His ideas helped create what is now known as Conservative Judaism.
Zecharias Frankel came from a family with a long history of important rabbis. He studied Jewish teachings from a young age. In 1825, he went to Budapest to prepare for university. He graduated in 1831.
The next year, he became a district rabbi in Litoměřice. He was the first rabbi in Bohemia with a modern university education. He then moved to Teplice, where he was chosen as the rabbi for the largest Jewish community there.
In 1836, he became the chief rabbi in Dresden, Germany. He stayed there until 1854. He was even asked to be the chief rabbi in Berlin in 1843. However, he turned down the offer. This was because the government would not officially recognize the position.
In 1854, Frankel became the president of the Jewish seminary in Wrocław. He worked there until he died.
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His Views on Jewish Practice
Frankel believed that any changes in Judaism should be based on careful study. He felt that changes should not just happen because people wanted them. He thought that only scholars should decide on such matters.
He made some small changes to Jewish prayer services. For example, he removed some hymns. He also introduced a choir of boys. But he was against any changes that went against Jewish feelings.
Frankel's views were not always popular with everyone. In 1842, there was a big debate about a new prayer book in Hamburg. Frankel's opinion did not fully please either side. Some liberals were unhappy because he pointed out problems with their prayer book. Orthodox Jews were also unhappy because he said some changes to old rituals were allowed.
In 1845, Frankel made a big statement. He announced he was leaving a meeting of rabbis. He disagreed with their decision to say that the Hebrew language was not needed for public worship. This made Frankel a leader for those who wanted to keep Jewish traditions. He started his own monthly journal to share his ideas.
His Writings and Studies
Frankel started writing later in his life. His first major book was about the Jewish oath. This book was important because it helped change a law in Saxony. The old law made it seem like Jews could not be fully trusted in court. Frankel showed that Jewish teachings did not support this idea. Because of his work, a new law in 1840 gave Jews the same rights as Christians in court.
Studies of Ancient Jewish Texts
Frankel also wrote important books about the Septuagint. This is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. He showed that early Christian writers were influenced by Jewish ways of understanding the Bible. Many of his students continued this work. They studied other ancient Bible translations like the Vulgate and the Peshitta.
He also wrote about Jewish law in 1846. This book helped change another unfair law in Prussia. This law made it harder for Jews to give testimony against Christians in court. Frankel's book was used in the Prussian government. It helped lead to a new law in 1847 that removed this unfair treatment.
Introduction to the Mishnah
As a professor, Frankel saw that there was a need for modern textbooks on Jewish law. He wrote an important introduction to the Mishnah called "Darkei ha-Mishnah" in 1859. The Mishnah is a key part of the Talmud.
This book was a very important effort to explain the history of early Jewish writings and ideas. It inspired many later works by other scholars. He also wrote about Jewish marriage law and the history of Jewish legal answers (Responsa).
Frankel believed that studying the Jerusalem Talmud was very important. He spent the rest of his life on this. In 1870, he published an introduction to the Jerusalem Talmud. He then started a new edition of the Jerusalem Talmud with his own comments. Sadly, he passed away in 1875 after only three parts were published.
Frankel also edited two important magazines. These magazines helped share his ideas and studies. He is remembered for his love for Jewish history and tradition.
His Family
Zecharias Frankel was married to Rachel Maier. They did not have any children.
Zacharias Frankel College
A Conservative Jewish school in Berlin, Germany, is named after him. It is called Zacharias Frankel College. Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson leads this school.
In 2017, Nitzan Stein Kokin became the first person to graduate from this college. She was also the first Conservative rabbi to be ordained in Germany since before World War II.
In Popular Culture
In the famous book The Chosen by Chaim Potok, the main character studies at a fictional "Zechariah Frankel Seminary." This school is based on a real Jewish seminary.
See also
In Spanish: Zacharias Frankel para niños
