By
– August 29, 2011
To be honest, I assumed this book would be a wholly irreproachable, if not dull, history of a backwater of Jewish life in 19th century Mittel Europe. Of facts and historical detail I assumed it would be chock full. Interest and readability, I was sure would not be among its virtues. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
For hundreds of years, the Jews of Moravia prospered, multiplied, educated their children and lived only moderately circumscribed lives. Then, during the late 17th century, the area was rocked by a stubborn Sabbatianism in the form of Jacob Frank. And, in 1727, the Familiants law was promulgated, which prohibited any but the oldest son of each family to marry. Against this background, we see a profoundly changing population in the 1800’s, where traditional rabbis battled German-style reformers and the buildup to the European-wide liberal revolution of 1848 roiled the community’s relationship with their Gentile neighbors. Fascinatingly, we also catch a glimpse of the early career of Samson Raphael Hirsch, one of the founders of Orthodox Judaism, as he takes the role of Chief Rabbi.
Miller has performed an impressive feat. He has produced a history of a largely rural Jewish community, not known for its Rabbinate nor infamous for its pogroms, nor central to the economic or political history of Europe. Yet, through a careful analysis of primary texts, correspondence, and archives, Miller brings to life a world becoming modern, featuring the struggle of a traditional unemancipated Jewry with liberal modern ideas, a minority community battered by two majorities, and the narrow space negotiated between a restive population and weakening authoritarian control. In many ways, Rabbis and Revolution helps us to understand how we got to where we are.
For hundreds of years, the Jews of Moravia prospered, multiplied, educated their children and lived only moderately circumscribed lives. Then, during the late 17th century, the area was rocked by a stubborn Sabbatianism in the form of Jacob Frank. And, in 1727, the Familiants law was promulgated, which prohibited any but the oldest son of each family to marry. Against this background, we see a profoundly changing population in the 1800’s, where traditional rabbis battled German-style reformers and the buildup to the European-wide liberal revolution of 1848 roiled the community’s relationship with their Gentile neighbors. Fascinatingly, we also catch a glimpse of the early career of Samson Raphael Hirsch, one of the founders of Orthodox Judaism, as he takes the role of Chief Rabbi.
Miller has performed an impressive feat. He has produced a history of a largely rural Jewish community, not known for its Rabbinate nor infamous for its pogroms, nor central to the economic or political history of Europe. Yet, through a careful analysis of primary texts, correspondence, and archives, Miller brings to life a world becoming modern, featuring the struggle of a traditional unemancipated Jewry with liberal modern ideas, a minority community battered by two majorities, and the narrow space negotiated between a restive population and weakening authoritarian control. In many ways, Rabbis and Revolution helps us to understand how we got to where we are.
Jeff Bogursky reads a lot, writes a little and talks quite a bit. He is a media executive and expert in digital media.
