Herzfeld, Levi

German rabbi and historian; born Dec. 27, 1810, at Ellrich; died at Brunswick March 11, 1884. Having chosen the rabbinical career, he studied under Chief Rabbi Abraham Bing at Würzburg, and under District Rabbi 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.

Levi Herzfeld.

Herzfeld displayed great activity, both as rabbi and as writer. His historical works embody the results of painstaking research and show the analytical power of the author; they are therefore indispensable to the student of Jewish history and Jewish religion. With Ludwig Philippson he convoked the first rabbinical convention at Brunswick, where, as well as in the subsequent conventions at Frankfort and Breslau, he advocated a moderate Reform, remaining himself a strict observer of the traditions.

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; "Handelsgesch. der Juden des Alterthums," Brunswick, 1879; "Einblicke in das Sprachliche der Semitischen Urzeit, Betreffend die Entstehungsweise der Meisten Hebräischen Wortstämme," Hanover, 1883.

S. G. R.