Amos Luzzatto
Encyclopedia
Amos Luzzatto is an Italian
writer
and essayist of Jewish descent, born in a family of ancient tradition (his mother’s father, Dante Lattes, was one of the most important representatives of Jewish Italian culture in the 20th century; his father’s great-great-grandfather, Samuel David Luzzatto
(Shadal), was teaching at the Rabbinical College in Padua
and was an Italian representative of the “Wissenschaft des Judentums
”).
in several Italian hospitals. He was university lecturer and Chief Physician, he devoted his studies especially to the applications of mathematical systems to the medical-clinical researches.
He likes to be defined "physician
– expert in Jewish culture". He insists above all on modern Jewish identity, which, according him, has increased the value and has brought to the affirmation of the category of national identity, together with the "religious" one. Following thinkers like Bialik
and Ahad Ha'am, he believes that this national identity should develop in continuity with Jewish history
and tradition and urges those who follow this path to master, through studying, not only Hebrew
, but also Bible
, Midrash
ic-Talmud
ic Literature
and all its developments until our time.
He translated and commented the Book of Job
(Feltrinelli
, 1991) and The Song of Songs (Giuntina, 1997). He wrote How to read Midrash
(Morcelliana, 1999), The place of the Jews
(Einaudi
, 2003) and an interview-book Paths of my life in Judaism
, science
and politics
(Morcelliana, 2003).
He has contributed with personal essays in the books Left Wing and Jewish question (Editori Riuniti, 1989), Modern Jews (Bollati-Boringheri, 1989), Besides the Ghetto
(Morcelliana, 1992), Annali Einaudi
- Storia degli Ebrei d’Italia
, vol. II (Einaudi
, 1997).
He took part with personal reports to several and international conferences on Jewish culture subjects. He held a course on Jewish Literature and the Midrash
at the University of Venice
, Department of Religious History. At the same University, he organized the "Socrates European Master in Archaeology and the Dynamics of Writing", regarding the Jewish aspect of this subject. At Roma Tre University, he holds a course on Midrash
within the History of Religions and a Laboratory on the dynamics of prejudice.
He is editor-in-chief of the Rassegna Mensile d’Israel.
Since June 1998, he is the President of the Italian Jewish Communities Union.
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...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and essayist of Jewish descent, born in a family of ancient tradition (his mother’s father, Dante Lattes, was one of the most important representatives of Jewish Italian culture in the 20th century; his father’s great-great-grandfather, Samuel David Luzzatto
Samuel David Luzzatto
Samuel David Luzzatto was an Italian Jewish scholar, poet, and a member of the Wissenschaft des Judentums movement. He is also known by his Hebrew acronym, Shadal ....
(Shadal), was teaching at the Rabbinical College in Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
and was an Italian representative of the “Wissenschaft des Judentums
Wissenschaft des Judentums
Wissenschaft des Judentums , refers to a nineteenth-century movement premised on the critical investigation of Jewish literature and culture, including rabbinic literature, using scientific methods to analyze the origins of Jewish traditions.-The Verein für Cultur und Wissenschaft der Juden:The ...
”).
Life
During his adolescence, he lived in Jerusalem, until 1946. For more than forty years he worked as a surgeonSurgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
in several Italian hospitals. He was university lecturer and Chief Physician, he devoted his studies especially to the applications of mathematical systems to the medical-clinical researches.
He likes to be defined "physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
– expert in Jewish culture". He insists above all on modern Jewish identity, which, according him, has increased the value and has brought to the affirmation of the category of national identity, together with the "religious" one. Following thinkers like Bialik
Bialik
Bialik was originally a Polish/Czech surname before it was adopted by the Jewish population. The name probably originated from the Polish word Biały...
and Ahad Ha'am, he believes that this national identity should develop in continuity with Jewish history
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
and tradition and urges those who follow this path to master, through studying, not only Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
, but also Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, Midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
ic-Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and all its developments until our time.
He translated and commented the Book of Job
Book of Job
The Book of Job , commonly referred to simply as Job, is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Job, his trials at the hands of Satan, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a...
(Feltrinelli
Feltrinelli
Feltrinelli may refer to:* Feltrinelli - Italian publishing house* Giangiacomo Feltrinelli - founder of the publishing house* Antonio Feltrinelli Prizes - awarded by the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei since 1950 in various fields of arts, sciences and "exceptional endeavours of outstanding moral...
, 1991) and The Song of Songs (Giuntina, 1997). He wrote How to read Midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
(Morcelliana, 1999), The place of the Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
(Einaudi
Einaudi
Einaudi may refer to;*Giulio Einaudi , an Italian publisher**Giulio Einaudi editore, now an imprint of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore*Luigi Einaudi , an Italian politician*His son Mario Einaudi , an Italian political scientist...
, 2003) and an interview-book Paths of my life in Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
(Morcelliana, 2003).
He has contributed with personal essays in the books Left Wing and Jewish question (Editori Riuniti, 1989), Modern Jews (Bollati-Boringheri, 1989), Besides the Ghetto
Ghetto
A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated...
(Morcelliana, 1992), Annali Einaudi
Einaudi
Einaudi may refer to;*Giulio Einaudi , an Italian publisher**Giulio Einaudi editore, now an imprint of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore*Luigi Einaudi , an Italian politician*His son Mario Einaudi , an Italian political scientist...
- Storia degli Ebrei d’Italia
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...
, vol. II (Einaudi
Einaudi
Einaudi may refer to;*Giulio Einaudi , an Italian publisher**Giulio Einaudi editore, now an imprint of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore*Luigi Einaudi , an Italian politician*His son Mario Einaudi , an Italian political scientist...
, 1997).
He took part with personal reports to several and international conferences on Jewish culture subjects. He held a course on Jewish Literature and the Midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
at the University of Venice
University of Venice
Ca' Foscari University is a university in Venice, northern Italy. It was founded in 1868 as the first Italian business college. The main building of the University, Ca’ Foscari Palace, is placed in a strategic position on the bend of the Grand Canal, in the heart of the city...
, Department of Religious History. At the same University, he organized the "Socrates European Master in Archaeology and the Dynamics of Writing", regarding the Jewish aspect of this subject. At Roma Tre University, he holds a course on Midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
within the History of Religions and a Laboratory on the dynamics of prejudice.
He is editor-in-chief of the Rassegna Mensile d’Israel.
Since June 1998, he is the President of the Italian Jewish Communities Union.
External links
- Laura Tussi, Il ruolo dell'intellettuale contemporaneo. Intervista con Amos Luzzatto
- Il posto degli ebrei. Reviews on ItaliaLibri
- Interview with Luzzatto after the 9/11 terrorist attack