1- Haskalah Flashcards
What was happening in the 18th century?
Things were changing and new ideas were arising
What is the definition of a ghetto?
Small Jewish communities surrounded by high walls
When could a Jew leave the ghetto?
If he had business to do outside the ghetto
What language did jews speak in German ghettos?
Yiddish
Who was Moses Mendelssohn? (Where was he from, what did he study…)
He was the father of Jewish enlightenment (Haskalah). Son of a Torah scribe. From Germany. Studied Torah
Where did Moses go at 14? With who? And what happened there?
He went to Berlin with his teacher. He payed a tax to enter. He continued his Jewish studies but also started learning English, french, math, philosophy, German and Latin. He became a tutor to a wealthy man
What did Moses write and what happened?
He wrote philosophical essays in German. He was the first German Jew who’s writing went beyond the ghetto walls.
What did they call Moses now?
He became the “protected Jew”
Was Moses the first Jew that Gotthold met?
Yes
What did Gotthold want to teach people? And what did he do?
He wanted to teach people that jewis were humans like everyone else. He wrote a play called “the Jew” and the main character, a Jew, was a good person.
When did Gotthold meet Moses?
After his play a friend introduced them and they played chess. They became good friends.
What did Gotthold and Moses talk about?
Gotthold talked about his ideas of tolerance and freedom
Who was Lessing a fan of? Who inspired him to write another play?
He was a fan of Baruch Spinoza, he read his works. Moses and Baruch inspired him to write a play called “Nathan the Wise”.
How did the people see Jews now after the second play?
Audiences saw Jews in a new light.
What was happening in Germany while Moses was in Berlin?
Jews were still in ghettos.
Eldest sons were permitted to marry.
Jews had to pay a tax to enter a walled city.
If children left the ghetto to marry, families were separated forever.
