HIST 219 Chapter Notes - Chapter 02-11: Talmud
Document Summary
Biographies hav certain level of undeniable truth. Writing autobiography not for fame, but to tell events/experiences. Misfortunes of l"s life come from foolishness. Wants despair to b a lesson 2 others. Did not rejoice in becoming a non-believer, but could not force himself 2 believe. Sought to banish these doubts but couldn"t. So tired of the talmud that he clung to anything seemingly rational. Believes in torah and talmudic law, but not talmudic custom. Accepted alienation from townspeople, despite the sadness it brought his family. Then wrote many disparaging things abt townsppl. Sought to make judaism easier to practice in order to keep it alive. But no one wanted to take up his reforms. Then, invited to odessa, resettled there and found refuge. Was starting to doubt own ideas due to poor education he had received earlier in life. Wants parents to forbid their children from talmud study. Wants children to study rational things, languages other than hebrew.
