The current and the Tide: Analyzing Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch's pedagogical curriculum in an era of modernity

Abstract

__One of the most important contemporary paradigms of Jewish classical education in recent times emerged in 19th century Germany, and was provided by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch. As the rabbi of Frankfurt am Main, he began establishing schools with a dual Jewish- Western curriculum, remaining forward-focused in its curriculum while remaining deeply rooted in a sense of Jewish culture, heritage, and tradition. This movement was predicated upon his famed Torah im Derekh Eretz ideology, which provided a structure between a relationship between traditionally observant Judaism and the modern world, based on the Mishnah in Avot (2:2) of "excellent is the study of the Torah when combined with a worldly occupation.” It led to a revolution and spread of classically oriented Orthodox Jewish schools all over Germany, manifesting Hirsch’s vision of synthesizing Torah and Western thought and providing Jews with a grand purpose within Western civilization, especially in an era with the rise of modernity. His belief in this value proved to be an influential point in time in the development of Jewish Classical Education and has left a secure imprimatur on the movement, with its ripple effects felt to this very day in Jewish schools across the world. __After surveying Hirsch’s life and works, this thesis aims to analyze his commentary on the concept of Torah im Derekh Eretz as well as his biblical commentary related to the ideology. It then seeks to show how Hirsch’s analysis and ideals have manifested themselves in his pedagogy and curriculum, especially in his comments on teaching in Horeb. This thesis then aims to examine the reception and evolution of Hirsch’s ideology, particularly in America, before concluding with an assessment of the ideology's current position in today's society.