Emily Weiner - modernity

Emily Weiner

Jews in Modern World Blog

September 25, 2013

When does the modern period in Jewish history begin? What is modernity?

The modern period in Jewish history begins with the onset of modernity. What modernity means in technical terms is what sets a certain era apart from others. This is the specific details that fall into play in regards to a certain era. Modernity became the rise of, “clearly visible, cultural and intellectual sensibilities that were conditioned by tangible changes in economic, political and the social environment.” Modernity is really what brought us to where we are today. It is what shaped the future for the Jews.

What is the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was an intellectual revolution, which consisted of many members and/or creators. Some of these people included Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire, Adam Smith and Kant. The priority of this period shifted from the typical focus on religion to logic and science. This is very typical as the members and/or creators were philosophers. The mindset and values during the Enlightenment is that people stopped living by what they were told within their religion and started living based off of their own personal lives and common sense.