Abraham Berliner
Encyclopedia
Abraham Berliner (May 2, 1833–1915) (Hebrew: אברהם ברלינר) was a German theologian and historian, born in Obersitzko, province of Posen, Prussia
. He received his first education under his father, who was teacher in Obersitzko. He continued his education under various rabbis, preparing himself at the same time for the University of Leipzig
, where he received the degree of doctor of philosophy.
After serving for some time as preacher and teacher in Arnswalde, Berliner was called (1865) to Berlin
as superintendent of the religious school maintained by the society for Talmudic studies (Ḥebrat Shas), and in 1873, when Israel Hildesheimer opened the rabbinical seminary in Berlin
, Berliner was elected professor of Jewish history and literature. In this position, as well as in that of author, he has displayed an untiring activity. His edition of Rashi
's commentary to the Pentateuch (1866) first made him known as a scholar; he added to his reputation by various historical works, the result of his studies in the archives and libraries of Italy
, which country he frequently visited, subventioned by the German
government.
Berliner edited for two years (1874–75) the scientific periodical Magazin für Jüdische Geschichte und Literatur, which from 1876 to 1893 he, together with his colleague, David Hoffmann, continued under the title Magazin für die Wissenschaft des Judenthums. It was due to his zeal that the society Meḳiẓe Nirdamim, for the publication of works of the older Jewish literature, which had been discontinued for several years, was revived in 1885 with Berliner as its director. He further acted as the apologist of Judaism in a pamphlet against Lagarde
(Prof. Paul de Lagarde, nach Seiner Natur Gezeichnet, 1887), who denounced all Jewish scholars as dilettanti; and when the blood accusation was revived, he republished (1888) the opinion of Cardinal Ganganelli—afterward Pope Clement XIV
—to prove the falsity of this charge.
While orthodox in his religious views, Berliner was never a fanatic. He not only associated in his scientific work with the liberals, but also paid a high tribute to the merits of M. Steinschneider on the occasion of the latter's seventieth birthday (1886), by compiling a bibliography of that eminent scholar's works.
The following is a list of Berliner's works:
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
. He received his first education under his father, who was teacher in Obersitzko. He continued his education under various rabbis, preparing himself at the same time for the University of Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
, where he received the degree of doctor of philosophy.
After serving for some time as preacher and teacher in Arnswalde, Berliner was called (1865) to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
as superintendent of the religious school maintained by the society for Talmudic studies (Ḥebrat Shas), and in 1873, when Israel Hildesheimer opened the rabbinical seminary in Berlin
Hildesheimer Rabbinical Seminary
The Hildesheimer Rabbinical Seminary was founded in Berlin on 22 October 1873 by Rabbi Dr. Azriel Hildesheimer for the training of rabbis in the tradition of Orthodox Judaism.-History:...
, Berliner was elected professor of Jewish history and literature. In this position, as well as in that of author, he has displayed an untiring activity. His edition of Rashi
Rashi
Shlomo Yitzhaki , or in Latin Salomon Isaacides, and today generally known by the acronym Rashi , was a medieval French rabbi famed as the author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud, as well as a comprehensive commentary on the Tanakh...
's commentary to the Pentateuch (1866) first made him known as a scholar; he added to his reputation by various historical works, the result of his studies in the archives and libraries of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, which country he frequently visited, subventioned by the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
government.
Berliner edited for two years (1874–75) the scientific periodical Magazin für Jüdische Geschichte und Literatur, which from 1876 to 1893 he, together with his colleague, David Hoffmann, continued under the title Magazin für die Wissenschaft des Judenthums. It was due to his zeal that the society Meḳiẓe Nirdamim, for the publication of works of the older Jewish literature, which had been discontinued for several years, was revived in 1885 with Berliner as its director. He further acted as the apologist of Judaism in a pamphlet against Lagarde
Paul de Lagarde
Paul Anton de Lagarde was a polymath German biblical scholar and orientalist. He also took some part in politics. He belonged to the Prussian Conservative party, and was a violent antisemite. The bitterness which he felt appeared in his writings...
(Prof. Paul de Lagarde, nach Seiner Natur Gezeichnet, 1887), who denounced all Jewish scholars as dilettanti; and when the blood accusation was revived, he republished (1888) the opinion of Cardinal Ganganelli—afterward Pope Clement XIV
Pope Clement XIV
Pope Clement XIV , born Giovanni Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli, was Pope from 1769 to 1774. At the time of his election, he was the only Franciscan friar in the College of Cardinals.-Early life:...
—to prove the falsity of this charge.
While orthodox in his religious views, Berliner was never a fanatic. He not only associated in his scientific work with the liberals, but also paid a high tribute to the merits of M. Steinschneider on the occasion of the latter's seventieth birthday (1886), by compiling a bibliography of that eminent scholar's works.
The following is a list of Berliner's works:
- Raschi, Commentar zum Pentateuch, 1866
- Aus dem Inneren Leben der Deutschen Juden im Mittelalter, 1871; 2d ed., 1900
- Pleṭat Soferim: Beiträge zur Jüdischen Schriftauslegung im Mittelalter, 1872
- Yesod 'Olam, das Aelteste Bekannte Dramatische Gedicht in Hebr. Sprache, von Mose Sacut, 1874
- Die Massorah zum Targum Onkelos, 1875, 1877
- Migdal Ḥananel, Ueber Leben und Schriften R. Chananel's in Kairuan, 1876
- Ein Gang Durch die Bibliotheken Italiens, 1877
- Rabbi Jesaja Berlin: Eine Biographische Skizze, 1879
- Beiträge zur Hebräischen Grammatik im Talmud und Midrasch, 1879
- Hebräische Grabschriften in Italien, 1881
- Persönliche Beziehungen Zwischen Juden und Christen im Mittelalter, 1882
- Beiträge zur Geographie und Ethnographie Babyloniens im Talmud und Midrasch, 1884
- Targum Onkelos (now the standard edition), 1884
- Aus den Letzten Tagen des Römischen Ghetto, 1886
- Censur und Confiscation Hebräischer Bücher im Kirchenstaate, 1891
- Geschichte der Juden in Rom, von der Aeltesten Zeit bis zur Gegenwart (2050 Jahre), 3 vols., 1893
- Ueber den Einfluss des Ersten Hebräischen Buchdrucks auf den Cultus und die Cultur der Juden, 1896
- Aus Meiner Bibliothek, Ein Beitrag zur Bibliographie und Typographie, 1898.
Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography
- SokolowSokolow----People:* Nahum Sokolow , Jewish Hebrew language writer and Zionist leader* Deb Sokolow, American artist* Fred Sokolow American Musician* Tobi Sokolow , American bridge player...
, Sefer Ziḳḳaron, p. 13 - Warsaw, 1889
- Reines, Dor we-Ḥakamaw.