Today, Philosophical Library would like to wish a happy 138th birthday to philosopher Martin Buber. Born in Vienna, Austria on February 8, 1878, Martin was raised and educated by his scholarly grandfather from the age of three due to the divorce of his parents. With his grandfather, he learned about literature as well as his Jewish faith and was fluent in both Yiddish and German languages.
As the years passed, Martin departed from his Jewish customs and started reading works from philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzche, whom inspired him to explore philosophy. In 1896, he began studying philosophy in Vienna and joined the Zionist movement two years later. Martin went on to pursue a literary and academic career and published works on mythic texts and became the editor of a Jewish publication titled Der Jude. By 1930, Martin was given the position as a professor at the University of Frankfurt in Germany, though resigned three years later in objection to the rise in power of Adolf Hitler. That same year, Martin was forbidden to give lectures and all Jewish citizens were forbidden to attend public education, prompting him to establish the Central Office for Jewish Adult Education. By 1938, Martin departed from Germany and moved to Jerusalem where he lectured in anthropology and sociology and lived the remainder of his life. He passed away on June 13, 1965.
Martin Buber is well known as a philosopher, essayist, translator and editor. His interests in Zionism and Hasidism influenced such works as his book titled Hasidism, a result of forty years of study. In this piece, Martin explores and interprets the ideas and motives behind the Jewish religious movement known as Hasidism. Within these pages, one will read of Martin’s analysis of Hasidic stories and teachings that have been influential to a new generation and that continues to affect Jewish scholars around the world. This work is highly recommended to be on the must-read list for any Jewish or religious scholar. To acquire Hasidism by Martin Buber, please click here.