Levi Herzfeld

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

Life
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.

Works
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)

Life
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.

Works
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.