Salomon Formstecher

Salomon Formstecher ( born July 26, 1808 in Offenbach am Main, † April 24, 1889 ) was a German rabbi, poet and philosopher of religion. He is considered one of the spiritual fathers of the Jewish reform movement in 19th century Germany.

Curriculum vitae

Salomon Formstecher was born the son of the Jewish couple Moses and Schonchen Formstecher. Dating from Gehaus at Vacha / Rhön couple lived since 1790 in Offenbach. His father was a craftsman and had specialized as a form cutter in the production of printing plates. Formstecher father began his son Salomon at the age of seven years in Hebrew and to teach the Talmud, later this instruction was taken over by a rabbi. At the same time visited Solomon Formstecher in his native city a Latin school. Through the work of his father's influence, wanted Salomon Formstecher first learn a trade. However, There was no master craftsman who wanted a Jewish form. Moses Formstecher therefore decided that his son should study the teaching profession. Salomon Formstecher studied in subsequent years, natural sciences, theology, philology and philosophy and received his doctorate in 1831 at the University of Gießen Dr. phil. After graduation, he returned to his home town, preaching in Offenbach's synagogue. In 1842 Salomon was Formstecher successor of the deceased in the same year rabbi. In this decade, he played a leading role in the reforming rabbi conferences. The religious disputes and points of view of the reform process is reflected in his novel Buchstein and Cohn mountain. Formstecher was committed to the revolution of 1848 and was a member of the Masonic Lodge "Zum Adler Frankfurt ". In addition, he participated in the founding of the Offenbach Natural History Association. Formstecher was also musically gifted and had a lifelong interest in crafts and technology. He invented a stringed piano, which he had patented in 1858. On the occasion of his 50th anniversary as rabbi and teacher of religion and due to his outstanding achievements for the Jewish reform movement, was given to him by the city of Offenbach as the first Jewish citizens on October 1, 1882, an honorary citizen. For his achievements, Dr. Formstecher Award in the same year by the Hessian Grand Duke Ludwig IV the Cross of Merit 1st class of the Order of Philip the Magnanimous. Rabbi Formstecher died in 1889 in his hometown and was buried there in the Old Cemetery. Since 1 October 2002, a road named after him in Offenbach Busing Park.

Influence on the Jewish reform movement in Germany

Form engraver activity was assessed by the religious scholar Shalom Ben -Chorin as a way for the Jewish reform movement of the 19th century. The rabbi Formstecher has significantly contributed to the intellectual foundations of Judaism were modernized in Germany. He pleaded for an orientation of the Protestant worship according to model and German liturgy. In his decades-long duration of action as a rabbi, he modernized the Jewish community life in Offenbach and the surrounding area. In 1841 he published the first philosophical work of the reform movement, the religion of the spirit. This book gave Formstecher international recognition and established his reputation as " the first modern historian of Judaism ".

Works (selection)

  • Israel's action and Israel's consolation. - Offenbach ( 1835)
  • Israelite worship booklet for the expansion and formation of the first religious feelings and concepts. - Offenbach ( 1836)
  • Religion of the spirit: a scientific representation of Judaism according to his character, development progress and occupations in humanity. - Frankfurt am Main: Hermann ( 1841)
  • Mosaic religion teaching. - Casting (1860 )
  • Buchstein and Cohn Mountain: A family portrait from the present. - Frankfurt am Main ( 1863)
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