Orthodox Jewish philosophy

Orthodox Jewish philosophy comprises of the philosophical and theological teachings of Orthodox Judaism. Though Orthodox Judaism sees itself as the heir of traditional rabbinic Judaism, the present-day movement is thought to have first formed in the late 18th century, mainly in reaction to the Jewish emancipation and the growth of the Haskalah and Reform movements. Orthodox Jewish philosophy concerns itself with interpreting traditional Jewish sources, reconciling the Jewish faith with the changes in the modern world and the movement's relationships with the State of Israel and other Jewish denominations.

Philosophies

Specific philosophies developed by Orthodox Jewish thinkers include:

• Torah Judaism, an ideological concept used to legitimize Jewish movements within the framework of Orthodox Jewish values.
• Hasidism, focusing on the importance of prayer, joy and the attachment to Tzadikim and Rebbes
• Musar (ethics), stressing the importance of the study of ethical texts
• Religious Zionism, an ideology that insists on the integration between Zionism and observance of Jewish law
• Torah im Derech Eretz, a school of thought advocating the combination of Jewish and secular education
• Torah Umadda, similar to Torah I'm Derech Eretz, advocating a combination of Jewish an secular education
• Da'as Torah, the position that the opinion rabbinic authorities are to be sought in various circumstances
• Dirah Betachtonim, a midrashic concept popularized by Chabad thinkers, the making of a "dwelling place for God in the lower realms" is thought to be the purpose of creation

Orthodox Jewish philosophers (from late 18th century)

While the majority of Orthodox rabbinic figures wrote primarily on Talmud and Jewish law (Halacha), some are known for their philosophical and theological writings.

Modern Orthodox Judaism

• Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888), German rabbi, authored Horeb (1837), and Nineteen Letters (1836), considered a founder of Modern Orthodoxy and the Torah im Derech Eretz school of thought
• Eliezer Berkovits (1908-1992), authored a number of works on Jewish theology including God, Man, and History (1959) and Man and God: Studies in Biblical Theology (1969)
• Israel Eldad
• Franz Rosenzweig
• David Hartman
• Yeshayahu Leibowitz
• Daniel Rynhold
• Aharon Lichtenstein
• Joseph Soloveitchik
• Abraham Isaac Kook

Haredi Judaism

• Elijah of Vilna, the Vilna Goan, known primarily for his commentary on Talmud and Shulchan Aruch, the Vilna Goan also authored a number of Kabbalistic works and is noted for his position on Tzimtzum
• Chaim Volozhin
• Moses Sofer, the Chasam Sofer
• Yisrael Meir Kagan, the Chafetz Chaim
• Israel Salanter, founder of the Musar movement, stressed the study of ethical literature as central to Jewish life
• Eliyahu Dessler

Hasidic Judaism

• Yisroel Baal Shem Tov
• Dovber of Mezritch, the Maggid of Mezritch
• The Rebbes of Chabad (most notably, Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Menachem Mendel Schneerson)
• Nachman of Breslov
• Elimelech of Lizhensk
• Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
• Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter
• Joel Teitelbaum

Sephardic Judaism

• Yosef Hayyim, the Ben Ish Chai
• Elijah Benamozegh

See also

• Orthodox Judaism
• Jewish philosophy