Chorin, Wikipedia, free encyclopedia

Aron Chorin (August 3, 1766 – August 24, 1844) He was a Hungarian Rabbi and pioneer of Judaism reform. He was in favor of the use of the organ and the sentences in the vernacular language, and was instrumental in the foundation of modern lines schools. Chorin thus considered a leader of the new Judaism. He was also interested in public affairs actively participating in efforts for Jewish emancipation, and was very influential with state authorities.

Early years [ To edit ]

Chorin was born in Hranice, Moravia, Austria (currently in the Czech Republic) in 1766. At the age of fourteen he studied at the yeshivá of Rabbi Jeremiah in Mattersdorf, Hungary, and two years later in Prague, at the Superior School of Ezequiel Landau. Here also learned German. Chorin married on December 26, 1783, opened a trade, but not succeeding, he accepted Rabbi in Arad in the spring of 1789, which he occupied until his death.

His first job [ To edit ]

In 1798, he published his first pamphlet: Imre No’am (Emery Noam The words of pleasure ), in which he argued that, since sturgeon had scales he was authorized as food according to the Scriptures. His opinion, although he followed that of Landau and other authorities, was firmly opposed by Mordecai Benet and his supporters. Rabbi Isaac Krieshaber de Paks wrote a refutation Maḳḳel No’am (joystick Agrade staff ), which caused a second Chorin brochure, SHIRYON ḳasḳassim (Scales armor Púas armor ), (Prague, 1799).

For its determined opposition to traditional uses in Hungary, Chorin incurred in hostilities with most of his colleagues. In the spring of 1802 he traveled to Somogy. The favorable impression that his sermon produced to his Jewish listeners induced him to consider himself as the future rabbi of this district, and on the cover of a brochure he published assumed this title. The rich and prominent Moisés Lakenbacher, president of the Congregation of Nagykanizsa, promised Chorin his influence with his brothers, but when Lakenbacher was aware of the strong opposition of the conservative party against the reformer he soon turned against him.

Orthodox opposition [ To edit ]

In Prague in 1803, Chorin published Emeḳ ha-Shaweh ( Plain Valley ), A work divided into three parts. In the first and most important Rosh Trust ( Perennial current head ) grants to the spiritual guides of the people the authority to modify traditional laws and adapt them to the demands of time, giving rise to great opposition to it. Chorin treats the thirteen articles of faith of Maimonides, giving evidence of strange knowledge among his Hungarian contemporaries. Next to the Hacker , interpreted the AGGADAH in a philosophical way. This method also applied to Zohar , which, far from mysticisms, considered it as a rich source of speculative knowledge. This opinion refers only to the theory and not the practice or Cabala , belief that he considered as contradictory to healthy reason. At the beginning of this book the approval of Rabbi Moisés Münz and a praiseful poem in Hebrew of Rabbi Moisés Kunitz are printed.
This work deeply offended the Orthodox, who frustrated the publication of a second edition, for which Chorin had prepared many corrections and additions. Benet wrote to the Arad congregation that the book contained heresies and should be burned. The congregation, however, kept its rabbi, although some of its members were put on Benet’s side, and its leader, a rich man, publicly insulted Chorin while he was preaching. Arad’s council asked Münz to certify that the book did not contain heresies. After having given his approval to the author, Münz was in a great dilemma, since he was urged by the Orthodox part to condemn Chorin and inflict an exemplary punishment. He concluded to yield to insinuations, and on September 1, 1805, he invited two branches to form a court with him before which Chorin was summoned. The court session lasted until the next day, but then Münz did not appear.

Judgment issued [ To edit ]

Samuel Butschowitz, Rabino de Assod, issued the sentence:

“Chorin must retract the contents of his book. In case he refuses to do so, his beard will be cut as punishment for his heretical transgressions.”

Chorin, whom the people had stoned in the courtyard of the synagogue, declared that he subordinated his opinions to those of the theologians of his time, and wanted his book to be suppressed. The court also decreed a reduction in the Chorin salary, but the board of directors of its congregation rejected this decree. Chorin appealed to the Imperial Government that, on June 24, 1806, he annulled the sentence and condemned the leader of his adversaries in Arad to pay the expenses of the demand, which should be punished for his scandalous conduct in the Sabbat Shuvah. Chorin declared to forgive his adversary, and to avoid more problems, he decided to stop writing.

Attitude towards reform [ To edit ]

The reform of Judaism undertaken among the Jews of Hamburg knew his sincere approval. In ( The zeal for the truth ), A document written on April 7, 1818, and published in the collection Legs ha-ẓedeḳ ( Righteous ), declared in favor of reforms, such as German sentences, organ use, and other liturgical modifications. However, he declared that the main sentences, the Shema , and the eighteen blessings, we must recite them in Hebrew, since this language keeps the belief in the restoration of Israel alive. He also advocated the opening of the temple for daily service. Influenced by Münz, Chorin departed from this writing on February 19, 1819; But a year later he published Dabar be -‘ittto ( A word in your time ), in which he reaffirmed in the opinions expressed in Ḳin’at ha-emet , and declared firmly for the correctness of the reform. A translation of this German appeared in Vienna. This caused the attention of the progressive part in Austria and Germany. Michael Lazar Biedermann, a prominent man, proposed the appointment of Chorin in the new temple that was going to erect in Vienna, but the government opposes, being Isaac Noé Mannheimer chosen in his place.

Consulted by Baden [ To edit ]

The Baden Great Duchy Government asked Chorin on February 3, 1821, through Banquero S. Haber, for his opinion on the duties of a rabbi, and about the reforms in the states of Austria. Chorin answered in writing Igged Elasaf O A letter from an African rabbi to his colleagues in Europe , which was published by M. I. Landau (Prague, 1826). In it he declared that the Log It is composed of religious truths and laws, the latter applicable part only in Palestine, compulsory part everywhere. These can be temporarily suspended, but not completely abolished, by a competent authority, such as a synod. Only ordinances and laws that are of human origin can be repealed in accordance with the circumstances of the time. As for the uses and customs ( minhaguim ), The Government, having consulted Jewish men, can modify or repeal any of them, but in no other way can intervene in religious affairs. Chorin also advocates the establishment of schools, and seminars, and for the promotion of agriculture and other professions among the Jews. Some of these ideas were carried out in their own congregation, which included a large number of mechanics. He succeeded at the foundation of a school, and in the introduction of liturgical reforms in the synagogue, and even an organ was installed in their rooms. Allowed the consumption of rice and legumes, during the days of Easter.

In its Loyal messenger (Prague, 1831) declared against the transfer of Sabbat until Sunday, but expressed the opinion that, taking into account the demands of our time, the Synods could attenuate the severity of the laws in this regard, especially in which it Regarding trips and writing.

In another treaty, Hillel , which appeared in Buddha in 1835, interpreted the prophetic promises on the reunification of Israel to mean the establishment of a religious supreme authority in Jerusalem. ‘This work written in the form of dialogue, and other contributions from its pen were published in the fourth volume of Bikkure ha-ITTIM . In 1819 he wrote Abak sofer ( The dust of a writer ), published by Landau (Prague, 1828), which contains glosses about Yoreh de’ah , Eben-ha’ezer , the filacteria, an explanation of Proverbs , and two riddles.

In Zeḳunim yeled ( Children of ancient age ), (Vienna, 1839), part in Hebrew, part in German, again advocated positive reforms with respect to railway trips during the Sabbat and other holidays, the use of the organ, etc., and gave a brief outline of his life. His biographer, Leopoldo Löw, wrote an introduction to this work.

On July 26, 1844, during the last weeks of his life, he wrote from his bed a statement expressing his full agreement with the Brunnswick Rabbines Conference, and on August 11 he sent a speech to the Conference of the Rabbines of Hungary in Paks He died in Arad at 78 years of age.

References [ To edit ]