Jakob Klatzkin

Jakob Klatzkin, Yakov/Jakub Klaczkin (Hebrew: יעקב קלצקין‎; Russian: Яков Клачкин) (3 October 1882, Biaroza, Grodno Governorate, now Belarus - 26 March 1948, Vevey, Switzerland) was a Jewish philosopher, publicist and publisher.

Klatzkin was born in Kartoz-Brioza, a son of the local Rabbi Eliyahu Klaczkin.

Beliefs

He rejected the notion of chosenness for the Jewish people, either religious or secular. He argued that the only meaningful goal for Zionism was regaining the land of Israel and normalizing the conditions of Jewish existence. He believed that assimilationists were "traitors to their Judaism".^[1] He criticized Ahad Ha-Am for the notion that morality was the key to Israel's uniqueness. He believed that ethics are universal, not the possession of a particular people. He maintained that the spiritual definition of Judaism denied freedom of thought and led to national chauvinism.

Literary works

• Otzar Munahim ha'Philosophim (Philosophy Terms), 4 vols. (printed in Berlin)
• "Baruch Spinoza, Hermann Cohen, and Crayim" (printed in Berlin)
• "Mishnat Rishonim", a philosophical anthology (printed in Berlin)
• "Shkiyatahayim, philosophical discussions" (printed in Berlin)
• Truhmim, Zutot, and Mishnat Ahonim, and Tavim (printed after he died)
• "Krisis und Entscheidung im Judentum" (Berlin, 1921)
• "Probleme des modernen Judentums" (Berlin, 1918; Berlin, 1930)
• "Hermann Cohen" (Berlin, 1919)
• "Der Erkenntnistrieb als Lebens und Todesprinzip" (Zurich, 1935)
• "German Encyclopaedia Judaica" (completed 10 of 15 intended volumes)

Footnotes

External links

• Klaczko Family at www.eilatgordinlevitan.com