Explicit and implicit polemic in Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch's Bible commentary

An in-depth consideration of certain portions of Hirsch's Torah commentary reveals that, even if not explicitly polemical, the considerable elaboration of, and strong emphasis on, what appear to be trivial subjects are but the tip of a polemical iceberg. The purpose of these passages in his com...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ganzel, Ṭovah 1974- (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
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Published: College 2010
In: Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
Year: 2010, Volume: 81, Pages: 171-191
RelBib Classification:BH Judaism
HA Bible
Further subjects:B Commentary
B Bible
B Judaism
B The Modern
B Polemics
B Exegesis
B Hirsch, Samson Raphael (1808-1888)
Parallel Edition:Electronic
Description
Summary:An in-depth consideration of certain portions of Hirsch's Torah commentary reveals that, even if not explicitly polemical, the considerable elaboration of, and strong emphasis on, what appear to be trivial subjects are but the tip of a polemical iceberg. The purpose of these passages in his commentary was to refute the arguments of biblical criticism, especially its denial of the premodern assumption of the divine origin of the Torah, and of Reformers and liberal Jews, who undermined the status of rabbinic halakhah. Generally, Hirsch dismisses the assumptions of Bible critics in a refined, covert fashion, such that those familiar with these assumptions will immediately recognize his intent, whereas those lacking such familiarity will simply take the commentary at face value.
ISSN:0360-9049
Contains:In: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion