Franz Rosenzweig
Jewish theologian and philosopher (1886–1929)
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Key Takeaways
- Franz Rosenzweig ( ; German: [ˈfʁant͡s ˈʁoːzn̩ˌt͡svaɪ̯k] ; 25 December 1886 – 10 December 1929) was a German theologian, philosopher, and translator.
- His father owned a factory for dyestuff and was a city council member.
- He started to study medicine for five semesters in Göttingen, Munich, and Freiburg.
- Rosenzweig, under the influence of his colleague and close friend Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy, considered converting to Christianity.
- A legend arose that after attending Yom Kippur services at a small Orthodox synagogue in Berlin, he underwent a mystical experience.
Franz Rosenzweig (; German: [ˈfʁant͡s ˈʁoːzn̩ˌt͡svaɪ̯k] ; 25 December 1886 – 10 December 1929) was a German theologian, philosopher, and translator.
Early life and education
Franz Rosenzweig was born in Kassel, Germany, to an affluent, minimally observant Jewish family. His father owned a factory for dyestuff and was a city council member. Through his granduncle, Adam Rosenzweig, he came in contact with traditional Judaism and was inspired to request Hebrew lessons when he was around 11 years old. He started to study medicine for five semesters in Göttingen, Munich, and Freiburg. In 1907 he changed subjects and studied history and philosophy in Freiburg and Berlin.
Rosenzweig, under the influence of his colleague and close friend Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy, considered converting to Christianity. Determined to embrace the faith as the early Christians did, he resolved to live as a Jew first, before becoming Christian. A legend arose that after attending Yom Kippur services at a small Orthodox synagogue in Berlin, he underwent a mystical experience. As a result, he became a baal teshuva. However, this legend has been debunked: he attended a large modern Orthodox synagogue and had already decided against conversion. . Rosenzweig never again entertained converting to Christianity, though he had many close Christian friends.
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