Vida entre dos culturas en la Alemania del siglo XVIII: Moses Mendelssohn

Abstract

One of the most important minorities in Europe and in Germany since the Middle Ages was the Jewish minority. Because of its religious beliefs it was the victim of numerous persecutions and humiliations. In Germany in the 18th century the situation of the Jewish population was very complicated: Jews did not have the citizen status, were forced to live in ghettos and were not allowed to associate with the Christian society. The Jewish philosopher and writer Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786) lived within these two cultures (Jewish and Christian); after having emigrated to Berlin in 1743, without any financial resources, he managed to study as a self-taught person, turned into a famous philosopher and writer and established contacts with other Christian erudites. His live and writings meant a big step towards a more tolerant society.