ד' באלול
17.8.2026
Anniversary of the death of Heinrich Hirsch (Zvi) Graetz
Heinrich Hirsch Graetz was born on October 31, 1817, in the district of Posen in Eastern Prussia and died on 4 Elul 5651, September 7, 1891. He was the greatest Jewish historian in the 19th century. He is mainly known for his major 11-volume book, History of the Jews. In his tremendous historical work Graetz contributed to the consolidation of a view that sees Judaism as nationalism, that is, the Jews are a people, a nation and not just a religion. They have a history, and Jewish national history is significant in the context of universal history. In his opinion, Judaism has political content as well as religious content. Graetz expressed his support of the establishment of a Jewish political center in the Land of Israel and emphasized the special connection between the people of Israel, its Torah and its land.
