The Elusiveness of Tolerance: The "Jewish Question" from Lessing to the Napoleonic WarsPeter Erspamer explores the 'Jewish question' in German literature from Lessing's Nathan der Weise in 1779 to Sessa's Unser Verkehr in 1815. He analyzes the transition from an enlightened emancipatory literature advocating tolerance in the late eighteenth century to an anti-Semitic literature with nationalistic overtones in the early nineteenth century. Erspamer examines Nathan in light of Lessing's attempts to distance himself from the excesses of his own Christian in-group through pariah identification, using an idealized member of an out-group religion as a vehicle to attack the dominant religion. He also focuses on other leading advocates of tolerance and explores changes in Jewish identity, particularly the division of German Jewry into orthodox Jews, adherents of the Haskalah, and converted Jews. |
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Page 84
... constitution of a society : it is the origin of belief . In every religion , the principle of godliness exists not as an idea but as an object of perception . The subjective condition of all revealed religion is belief . The widest ...
... constitution of a society : it is the origin of belief . In every religion , the principle of godliness exists not as an idea but as an object of perception . The subjective condition of all revealed religion is belief . The widest ...
Page 88
... constitution that takes its rules for behavior and its directives straight from God . Eventually Judaism ceased to be a theocracy . God delegated the management of his religion to true servants . Judaism underwent a transition from a ...
... constitution that takes its rules for behavior and its directives straight from God . Eventually Judaism ceased to be a theocracy . God delegated the management of his religion to true servants . Judaism underwent a transition from a ...
Page 89
... constitution of a re- ligion and builds another . Ascher wishes to give Jewish society a new constitution based on truths made possible by belief . He feels that the Jews should establish a new relation between religion and society the ...
... constitution of a re- ligion and builds another . Ascher wishes to give Jewish society a new constitution based on truths made possible by belief . He feels that the Jews should establish a new relation between religion and society the ...
Contents
The Beginnings of the Tolerance Debate | 32 |
Jewish Identity in a Changing World | 64 |
Emancipatory Drama after Lessing | 98 |
Copyright | |
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accept According advocates anti-Semitism argues Ascher assimilation attempts became become belief Berlin better bourgeois cause century character Christian concept consensus formation constitution convert critical culture discourse Dohm dominant drama economic elements emancipation Enlightenment equal examination exclusion existence expression faith fear feels Friedrich Gentiles German give granted Grattenauer hand History human humor Ibid identification identity individual influence ingroup interest Jewish Jewish emancipation Jews Judaism Jude Juden laws Lessing Lessing's linguistic literature live maintains major means Mendelssohn minority moral Moses Nathan der Weise Natural notion oppression original orthodox Christianity person Pfranger philosopher play points political portrayed position prejudices principles promote question reason reformation regarded rejection religion religious represents role rules seeks social society status teachings tion tolerance trade traditional tries truths values viewed wanted wishes writing