test
Search publications, data, projects and authors

Article

French

ID: <

10.4000/rgi.346

>

·

DOI: <

10.4000/rgi.346

>

Where these data come from
Moses Mendelssohn, from hioglyphs to idolâtria

Abstract

Mendelssohn dedicated the second part of his Jerusalem to a vindication of Judaism. A "natural religion" shared by all human beings having been argued sufficient for the attainment of eternal felicity, Judaism (as well as all other specific religions) seems superfluous. This view has indeed maintained its appeal into the present day. In response to which, Mendelssohn maintains that Judaism has a special office : that of forestalling idolatry. Judaism fulfills this function ex negativo : in its having no special theology or symbols, but consisting exclusively in "ceremonies". Ceremonies are transient and produce no durable objects or symbols which could be venerated. Because Mendelssohn did not elaborate on his reference to the role of hieroglyphics in Egyptian idolatry as a negative example, he was repeatedly criticized as having contrived a curious hypothesis lacking in foundation. Study of Mendelssohn’s commentary on the sin of the Golden Calf shows however that Mendelssohn had worked out a comprehensive explanation for this original sin of idolatry : hieroglyphics were used for astral magic, and thus promoted idolatry. His theory was founded on his knowledge alike of the best contemporary ethnographical theories and of traditional Jewish Bible commentaries.

Your Feedback

Please give us your feedback and help us make GoTriple better.
Fill in our satisfaction questionnaire and tell us what you like about GoTriple!