18th and 19th Centuries: Tradition Meets Modernity

The Library’s extensive collection of publications about various aspects of Judaism from the 18th and 19th centuries reflects the increased book production in Europe and the United States during that era. At the turn of the 20th century, these books, now rare finds, began making their way to The New York Public Library through the acquisition of private collections, purchases of individual items, and generous donations. The universality of the Library’s mission positioned it ideally for collecting and preserving materials that, taken together, allow us to develop a comprehensive understanding of the epoch and the diversity of views and opinions that it encompassed. 

The 18th and 19th centuries saw significant modernization in Jewish society, characterized by the widespread dissemination of ideas of enlightenment and secularization. These concepts coexisted with and also challenged entrenched traditional Jewish life and its canons. 

The term Haskalah, derived from the Hebrew word sehel, meaning reason, is used to define the Jewish Enlightenment movement, a fascinating and important period in Jewish history spanning these two centuries. Influenced by the broader European Enlightenment that began in the late 17th century, proponents of the Haskalah sought intellectual and cultural renewal and integration into a larger European society, all while maintaining the fundamentals of Judaism. The movement advanced literature in both the Yiddish and Hebrew languages, social and political movements, art, music, and education. The proponents of the Haskalah were called maskilim, also derived from the Hebrew sehel. Maskilim often faced opposition from the adherents of traditional Judaism and Hasidism, who viewed them as a threat to their values.

This section explores the twin influences of tradition and modernity in Jewish life during the 18th and 19th centuries through the lens of specific manuscripts and publications in the Dorot Jewish Division. It begins with the impact of the European Enlightenment on its Jewish counterpart. From there it delves into the Haskalah’s later period, highlights the development of Hebrew as a new secular language, and examines the rise of Yiddish as a language of modern Jewish literature. There is a focus on theater, science, and politics, as well as on the dissemination of knowledge about America in Hebrew sources. At the same time, considerable attention is given to records that detail the administrative functioning of Jewish communities in Europe known as pinkasim; they provide insights into traditional life in the shtetls (villages) of Eastern Europe as well as customs of early Hasidic printing.

The materials in the section also reflect a deepened interest in biblical exploration, nature, and pilgrimage to places sacred to all three Abrahamic religions. This interest was facilitated by notable advancements in maritime technology, such as modern steamships, which offered a faster, more accessible and reliable means of travel. All of this helped the emerging Zionist movement, which inspired many Jews fleeing persecution in Europe to reconnect with their historical roots. 

Original manuscripts and photographs from the Division, together with some of the collection’s rare publications, provide a glimpse into this transformative period, which set the stage for the accelerated modernization of Jewish society in the 20th century.