01574--Dreyfus, Alfred

Dreyfus, Alfred (1859–1935). An assimilated Jew and captain in the French Army. He was falsely convicted of treason in 1895. Dreyfus was demoted and sent to Devil’s Island off the coast of South America. His brother worked tirelessly to exonerate him. Finally, in 1906, a court of appeals pronounced his innocence. In the interim, his case garnered international attention. One of the reporters covering the initial trial was Theodor Herzl, who was inspired to question whether assimilation was a viable solution for European Jews. Herzl subsequently outlined his vision of a Jewish national independence.

Courtesy: Professor Shai Cherry

01573--Bar Kochva, Shimon

Bar Kochva, Shimon (d. 135 C.E.). The military leader of the final rebellion against the Romans in the Land of Israel that began in 132. Although Rabbi Akiva believed him to be the messiah, Bar Kochva made no such claim. Bar Kochva based himself in the south of the country, where documents and coins have been unearthed testifying to his reign.

Courtesy: Professor Shai Cherry

01572--Ba’al Shem Tov, Israel

Ba’al Shem Tov, Israel (1700–1760). The inspiration for Hassidism, a religious renewal movement that swept through Eastern Europe from 1750 through the 19th century. The Ba’al Shem Tov maintained that the study of Talmud was not the exclusive way to serve God. One could serve God through all commandments and all human activities as long as one’s awareness was so directed. He had a small group of followers who spread his teachings throughout Eastern Europe. These tzaddikim, or righteous ones, lent their own style and personality to the message of the Ba’al Shem Tov.

Courtesy: Professor Shai Cherry

01571--Akiva son of Joseph

Akiva son of Joseph (50–135 C.E.). One of the leading figures of Rabbinic Judaism in the decades after the destruction of the Second Temple. In some ways, “Judaism” could just as easily be named “Akivaism.” He was largely responsible for the traditions recorded in the Mishnah. He was also believed to engage in mystical practices. He maintained that the most important principle in the Torah was to show love to your neighbor, although he simultaneously held that study was greater than deeds. He promoted the Rabbinic doctrine that the entire Torah was given by God at Mount Sinai. Akiva was flayed to death by the Romans toward the end of the Bar Kochva Revolt.

Courtesy: Professor Shai Cherry

01570--Adler, Felix

Adler, Felix (1851–1933). The son of prominent Reform Rabbi Samuel Adler. Growing up in America, the younger Adler finished his rabbinic and secular education in Germany. On his return, he advocated abandoning the particularistic elements of Judaism to focus exclusively on universal ethics. In 1876, Adler founded the New York Society for Ethical Culture.

Courtesy: Professor Shai Cherry