(Moderniser of Orthodox Judaism in Germany, 1820-99). Autograph Letter Signed written on letterhead in German (with some Hebrew) to Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-88) in Frankfurt.

HILDESHEIMER, AZRIEL

Berlin

n.d

He has learned from the head of the Jewish community in Königsberg that the liberal politician Eduard Lasker (1829-84), one of two Jewish representatives in the Prussian House of Representatives, intends to support the resolution to “preserve the legal status of the Jewish Community” [possibly Adass Jisroel].

Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer was rabbi of Eisenstadt, where he founded a Torah-im-Derech-Eretz style yeshiva. Although certain Hungarian rabbinic luminaries such as the Mahara’m Schick, sent their children there, the zealous atmosphere in Hungary drove Rabbi Hildesheimer to leave in 1869 and reestablish himself in Germany. In Berlin he led the Orthodox Rabbinical Seminary, where he imprinted his name and learning on an institution that trained the majority of Orthodox rabbis in Germany until WWII. Rabbi Hildesheimer was a potent critic of Reform Judaism, as well as a respected scholar of Wissenschaft des Jundentums. At the same time he was very much a communal leader, playing a leading role in the settlement of Eretz Israel, taking a deep interest in the communities there, and was a sought after Posek as well.