Jewish Reflections in the Age of Emancipation

Abstract

Once emancipated, Jewish thinkers began to grapple with the main currents of Western philosophical thought and in their different ways offered a positive evaluation of both Christianity and Islam of Western philosophical thought. Pre-eminent among mid-nineteenth century Jewish writers, Samuel Hirsh argued that throughout history Judaism sought to overcome the threat of paganism. In this quest, he believed, Christianity has a role, yet ultimately it is the Jewish faith — as the purest form of monotheism — which is humanity’s hope for the future. A similar position was espoused by Solomon Formstecher who maintained that Judaism is the ultimate form of the religious life; nonetheless, he stressed, both Christianity and Islam as monotheistic faiths play a role in the unfolding of God’s plan. A third figure of this period, Solomon Ludwig Steinheim also viewed Christianity as furthering God’s eschatological scheme; although inferior to Judaism the Christian faith serves as a means of accomplishing God’s purposes. In contrast with these thinkers, Hermann Cohen was severely critical of Christian theology, however he too pleaded for a better relationship between Christianity and Judaism in the struggle to bring knowledge of one God to all people.