Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah)

The Jewish Enlightenment, or Haskalah, was a 18th-19th century movement encouraging Jewish intellectual and cultural revival. It aimed to integrate Jewish communities into European society by promoting education, secular knowledge, and modern ideas while maintaining Jewish identity. Haskalah challenged traditional religious authorities and practices, advocating for greater openness, critical thinking, and participation in broader civic life. It influenced Jewish thought, led to the development of modern Hebrew literature, and helped shape Jewish modernity by balancing tradition with modern values.