Levi Herzfeld

Rabbi Levi Herzfeld
Death mask of Levi Herzfeld, probably by Constantin Uhde, Braunschweig, 1884
Professor
In office 1879–1884
Title	Landesrabbiner
Personal
Born	27 December 1810 Ellrich, Germany
Died	11 March 1884 (aged 73) Brunswick, Germany
Nationality	German
Notable work(s)	Geschichte des Volkes Jisrael, Handelsgeschichte der Juden des Alterthums
Known for	Advocacy for moderate Reform Judaism
Occupation	Rabbi, historian
Senior posting
Predecessor	Samuel Egers

Levi Herzfeld (27 December 1810 – 11 March 1884) was a German rabbi and historian.

Having chosen a rabbinical career, Herzfeld studied under Chief Rabbi Abraham Bing at Würzburg, and under District Rabbi Samuel Egers at Brunswick. He furthered his Talmudic studies with Rabbis Oettinger, Rosenstein, and Leopold Zunz at the University of Berlin, earning his Ph.D. in 1836. Shortly after, he assisted Rabbi Egers in Brunswick and succeeded him as Landesrabbiner in 1842, a position he held until his death. In 1879, the Duke of Brunswick conferred upon him the title of professor.

Herzfeld was known for his scholarly pursuits and advocacy for moderate Reform within Judaism. He co-convened the first Rabbinical Convention in Brunswick with Ludwig Philippson, influencing subsequent conventions in Frankfurt and Breslau.

Herzfeld authored several significant works, including:

• Kohelet, Uebersetzt und Erläutert (1838)
• Das Deutsche in der Liturgie der Braunschweiger Synagoge (1844)
• Vorschläge zu einer Reform der Jüdischen Ehegesetze (1846)
• Geschichte des Volkes Jisrael von der Zerstörung des Ersten Tempels bis zur Einsetzung des Makkabäers Schimon zum Hohenpriester und Fürsten (1847, Nordhausen 1855–57; abridged edition 1870)
• A volume of sermons (1858, 2nd ed. Leipzig 1863)
• Minḥat Zikkaron, a primer for Jewish schools (1861, 2nd ed. 1866)
• Metrologische Voruntersuchungen zu einer Geschichte des Ibräischen, Respektive Altjüdischen Handels (1863-65)
• Zwei Vorträge über die Kunstleistungen der Alten Juden (1864)
• Handelsgeschichte der Juden des Alterthums (1879, 1894)
• Einblicke in das Sprachliche der Semitischen Urzeit, Betreffend die Entstehungsweise der Meisten Hebräischen Wortstämme (1883)

• Digitized works by Levi Herzfeld at the Leo Baeck Institute, New York
• Source from the Jewish Encyclopedia

Levi Herzfeld (27 December 1810, Ellrich – 11 March 1884, Brunswick) was a German rabbi and historian.

Having chosen the rabbinical career, he studied under Chief Rabbi Abraham Bing at Würzburg, and under District Rabbi Samuel Egers at Brunswick. In 1833 he went to the University of Berlin, at the same time completing his Talmudic studies with Rabbis Oettinger and Rosenstein, and with Leopold Zunz. Herzfeld took his degree (Ph.D.) in 1836, and shortly after was called by Egers, who had become blind, as his assistant at Brunswick. In 1842 he succeeded his master as "Landesrabbiner," retaining that office until his death. In 1879 the Duke of Brunswick conferred upon him the title of professor.

Herzfeld displayed great activity, both as rabbi and as writer. His historical works embody the results of painstaking research and show analytical power. With Ludwig Philippson he convoked the first rabbinical convention at Brunswick, where, as well as in the subsequent conventions at Frankfurt and Breslau, he advocated a moderate Reform, remaining himself a strict observer of the traditions.

Herzfeld's writings include:

• "Kohelet, Uebersetzt und Erläutert," Brunswick, 1838
• "Das Deutsche in der Liturgie der Braunschweiger Synagoge," 1844
• "Vorschläge zu einer Reform der Jüdischen Ehegesetze," ib. 1846
• "Geschichte des Volkes Jisrael von der Zerstörung des Ersten Tempels bis zur Einsetzung des Makkabäers Schimon zum Hohenpriester und Fürsten," 3 vols., ib. 1847 (Nordhausen, 1855–57; abridged edition, 1870)
• a volume of sermons, 1858 (2d ed. Leipsic, 1863)
• "Minḥat Zikkaron," a primer for Jewish schools, 1861 (2d ed. 1866)
• "Metrologische Voruntersuchungen zu einer Geschichte des Ibräischen, Respektive Altjüdischen Handels," ib. 1863-65
• "Zwei Vorträge über die Kunstleistungen der Alten Juden," ib. 1864
• "Handelsgeschichte der Juden des Alterthums," Brunswick, 1879, 1894
• "Einblicke in das Sprachliche der Semitischen Urzeit, Betreffend die Entstehungsweise der Meisten Hebräischen Wortstämme," Hanover, 1883.

• Works by or about Levi Herzfeld at the Internet Archive
• Source
• Digitized works by Levi Herzfeld at the Leo Baeck Institute, New York

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)