Jacob Israel Emden

Jacob Israel Emden (born June 4, 1697, Altona, Holstein [now in Denmark]—died April 19, 1776, Altona) was a rabbi and Talmudic scholar primarily known for his lengthy quarrel with Rabbi Jonathan Eybeschütz (q.v.), an antagonism that sundered European Jewry. Emden was thoroughly trained as a scholar of the Talmud, the rabbinical compendium of law, lore, and commentary. Emden evinced more widespread interests as well, studying Latin and Dutch. His traditionalism was revealed, however, in his...