Moses Mendelssohn (1729 – 1786) was a German-Jewish philosopher and a key figure in the Haskalah, or Jewish Enlightenment. His works on religious tolerance, reason, and Jewish identity influenced both Jewish and European thought. Born in Dessau to a poor Jewish family, he overcame early hardships to become a respected intellectual.
Initially destined for a rabbinical career, Mendelssohn educated himself in German literature and philosophy. In Berlin, he befriended philosopher Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, who introduced him to the broader intellectual world. His Philosophical Conversations (1755) and Phaedo (1767), a defense of the immortality of the soul, earned him the title “German Socrates”. Despite facing discrimination, he gained recognition from European intellectuals.
Mendelssohn also advocated for Jewish civil rights and cultural integration. His translation of the Hebrew Bible into German aimed to bridge the gap between Jewish and secular education. His debates with Christian theologians, particularly Johann Kaspar Lavater, demonstrated his commitment to religious freedom.
His descendants included composer Felix Mendelssohn, continuing his legacy in the arts. Mendelssohn’s writings laid the foundation for modern Jewish thought, promoting reason and tolerance. His influence remains significant in philosophy and Jewish history.