Arnheim, Heymann

German rabbi; born at Wongrowitz, Prussia, Feb. 6, 1796; died there Sept. 22, 1865. While still a child he was left fatherless, and from the age of twelve was compelled to earn his own living. Notwithstanding these unfavorable conditions, he acquired a knowledge of Latin and Greek, and, more especially, of the German language and literature. He first became a private teacher at Neu-Strelitz; then (1824) a schoolteacher at Fraustadt, and finally (1827) occupied a similar position at Glogau. There he published (1830) his first work, "Leitfaden beim Unterricht in der Mosäischen Religion." In 1836 he translated into German and commented on the Book of Job. This translation was highly appreciated by the learned world, and Arnheim was invited by Zunz and Sachs to collaborate in the translation of the Bible that they were preparing. To this work Arnheim furnished the following books: The first four books of the Pentateuch, Kings, Ezekiel, Hosea, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Zechariah, Proverbs, Job, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Nehemiah, and Jeremiah—this last in collaboration with Sachs.

In 1840 Arnheim became head teacher (Oberlehrer) at Glogau, and commenced to preach in the great synagogue. The same year he published a translation of the Sabbath prayers and of the Yoẓerot for Purim, with notes in which he displayed a great knowledge of Midrashic literature. In 1849 he became rabbi of the Zeller Institution.

Arnheim was a contributor to many scientific journals, such as the "Hallische Jahrbücher" and the "Magazin für die Literatur des Auslandes."

Bibliography:

  * Monatsschrift, 1894, p. 508;
  * Fuenn, Keneset Yisrael, p. 156.



S. I. Br.