The sefer that revolutionized German Jewry!
Igros Tzafon by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch. First Edition. Altona, 1836
This sefer, which highlights the fundamentals of faith and foundations of Judaism, was the very first published work of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch and comprised the tenets of his philosophy. The sefer was written in the form of 19 letters, written as correspondence between two young men named Naftali and Binyamin.
In the sefer, Binyamin presents as a young man confused by the challenges of the times, whereas Naftali, who represents faithful Judaism, responds to all his questions and eliminates his doubts.
The sefer Igros Tzafon expertly discussed and handled many of the burning questions that plagued the younger generation of German and western European. In fascinating prose, he explains with exceptional clarity the significance of being a Jew; history of the Jewish nation in the Diaspora; educating children to follow the path of Torah and mitzvos; emancipation and reform.
The sefer was written in Modern German, making it accessible to adolescents who were not fluent in lashon hakodesh. As Rabbi Samson Rapahel Hirsch expressed himself, “If I would speak to all the members of the present generation, I must speak to them in a modern, contemporary tone."
This sefer had a deep impact on German Jews and was disseminated widely among youth. Reform Jews regarded his writings as an attack, and resented his true defense of traditional Judaism, and as a result, they attacked him by publishing numerous articles in the liberal papers (Shemesh Marpeh p. 282).
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1889) was the “guardian of the holy Khal Adath Jeshurun in Frankfurt.” He fought a sacred battle against the Reform and endeavored mightily to safeguard the nation from the clutches of the Enlightenment and assimilation. Rabbi Hirsch was a prolific author, who wrote extensively on various topics of Torah philosophy. His legacy is perpetuated by "Yekke" congregations worldwide.
“One who reads these 19 letters shall realize that before he read them, he did not truly understand the Jewish faith; and he will thereby be like a new creation” (eulogy by Rabbi Zalman Spitzer, Av Beis Din of Vienna and son-in-law of the Chasam Sofer (Tikkun Shlomo, Vienna, 1892 p. 111b)”.
Altona, 1836. Rare first edition! Page Count: 8, 111, [2] sides.
Page Size: 21.7 cm.
Condition: Good.
Additional Information: Sefer written entirely in German.
