Martin Buber

Buber was born in Vienna in 1878, but was raised by his grandparents in Lvov, Galicia since the age of three. His grandfather, Solomon Buber, who was a major influence in his life, prayed with the Hasidim, but was also a scholar of the Haskalah, the Jewish Enlightenment.

At eighteen, Martin Buber entered the University of Vienna where he became interested in religion and Zionism. When he was in his twenties, he became involved in Hasidism. He attempted to translate the tales of renowned Rav Nachman of Bratslav into German, but he decided instead to retell them in his own narrative form. The ensuing Hasidic Tales earned Buber an excellent literary reputation and a subsequent Hasidic anthology, Die chassidische Bücher [The chassidischen Books] (1927). These tales had great resonance and were the source for a renewed interest in Judaism among many assimilated Jews, including Salman Schocken. By returning to Hasidism, Buber reflected the contemporary resurgence of mystical conventions. He also represented the revolt against 19th century Wissensshaft des Judentums, which through scientific method took the heart out of Judaism, leaving it dry and unappealing.

As a theologian, philosopher, storyteller, pedagogue, and Zionist figure, Martin Buber became an integral part of the "Jewish renaissance" he had envisioned decades before it came to pass. His prominence can be seen throughout this exhibition.

A book of essays and speeches from 1933-1935 by Martin Buber can be seen in the Bezalel Bookcase entitled, Die Stunde und die Erkenntnis [The Hour and the Reckoning], as well as his collaboration with Franz Rosenzweig, Die Schrift [The Scripture (the Old Testament)] (1934).