This website seeks to summarize Hirsch’s writings to make them accessible to a wider audience. References at the bottom of each post show the original source. I encourage you to further explore these ideas in depth in the “original” (Well, not quite. I’m using English translations. Hirsch wrote in German.) Occasionally I will add brief notes followed by “GS”).
The Nineteen Letters serves as an outline of many of the themes found throughout all of RSRH’s writings. Hirsch wrote it when he was just 27. It was published as an invitation to read his other book, Horeb, which presents a philosophy of Jewish Law. I recommend that everyone reads The Nineteen Letters as an introduction to Hirsch’s other writings. For the next 53 years, Hirsch further developed the themes presented there.
The Concepts tab contains an index of links to concepts. As I go through the commentaries and essays I will add to this lists. These are mostly hyperlinks to various places in the commentary. There will often be multiple hyperlinks for one concept. In this way, themes can be studied, tracing them to multiple sources.
The audio shiurim posted are drawn from Hirsch’s writings.
There is a handy Search feature on every page. Please use it! It’s a very helpful tool.
(Note: The page numbers cited in most of the first three chapters of the Commentary to the Chumash are from the Judaica Press edition. Going forward I am using the newer Hirsch Chumash by Feldheim.)
This is a work in progress and a labor of love. I invite you to check back often for new posts.
Please email comments or suggestions to rsrh4all@yahoo.com
Gershon Seif
Beraishis – Audio
Beraishis 1:1 – God and Man’s Free Will – The foundation of morality Beraishis 1:2 – Light and Darkness, Water and Earth Beraishis 1:3 – The Great Law in Creation of “L’mino” Everything According to its Species Beraishis 1:4 – Let Us Make Adam – Creation of Man Beraishis 1:5 – …
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Arabian Contribution to the World
See post on Beraishis Chapter 16E
Beraishis 16E – Yishmael’s Treasury of Ideas
The well where Hagar saw the angel of God became a monument for the Arab people, and their whole connection to humanity is connected to this well. Here their matriarch, Hagar, perceived that God is absolute in space. (She had learned that even if she fled, God was everywhere.) Avraham added a grammar change to …
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Beraishis 16D – The Angel Tells Hagar about her Son-to-be, Yishmael
The angel informs Hagar that she will have a son to be named Yishmael (translation is: God will hear) because God has heard your suffering. RSRH points out that this is rare. Typically in scripture suffering is “seen” as opposed to “heard.” He explains that in this case , there was no physical suffering ; …
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Beraishis 16C – Hagar Meets an Angel
An angel of God meets Hagar by a well of water in the desert. The angel addresses her as “Hagar, maidservant of Sarah.” When he asks her where she is running to, the only answer Hagar gives is that she is running away from “Sarah my mistress.” – This is what she can no longer …
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Beraishis 16B – Strife After Hagar Becomes Pregnant. Hagar Flees
Hagar becomes pregnant and no longer considers herself dependent on Sarah. This creates difficulties, as now, Sarah cannot be that surrogate mother to Hagar’s child. Sarah blames Hagar’s behavior on Avraham. He must have made her feel too elevated. Avraham tells Sarah that if so, she should do what is necessary to reestablish that relationship …
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Beraishis 16A Avram Marries Hagar
We can well understand Sarah’s sadness in not bearing children. She had a maidservant, Hagar, who was her maidservant. Hagar is referred to later in the chapter as שפחת שרי. Sarah said to Avraham, “Until now we haven’t had children. Although you deny it, I know that the fault lies with me. (Sarah’s words indicated …
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Audio of Beraishis Ch. 16 – Biblical Origins of the Arab Israeli Conflict
Biblical Origins of the Arab Israeli Conflict – Based on RSRH’s commentary to Beraishis Chapter 16 Beraishis Ch. 16, 1-16 pages 368-378
Tammuz 3 – Why the Land was Lost – Audio Shiur
Why the Land was Lost – for the 3 Weeks (based on Collected Writings on Tammuz)
Jewish Calendar – Audio
Rosh Chodesh – The Ability to Renew! Shabbos – Homage to the God of Nature and History Shabbos – A Sign Between God and Israel – RSRH’s commentary on the verses relating to Shabbos from Parshas Ki Sisa The First Shabbos Experience – The Lesson of the Mon – RSRH’s commentary on …
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