The Jewish Way of Self-Understanding (The Horeb Project 20)
Rabbi Hirsch on Self-Appraisal and Jewish Identity
The Horeb Project is a paragraph-by-paragraph reading of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch’s masterpiece Horeb: A Philosophy of Jewish Laws and Observances (1837).
Today’s Study
Section 1: Toroth: Fundamental Principles Relating to Mental and Spiritual Preparation for Life
Chapter 5: Self-Appraisal
Epigraph:
And lest thou lift up thy eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, thou be drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which the Lord, thy God hath allotted unto all the peoples under the whole heaven. But you hath the Lord taken and brought forth out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be unto Him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day. Deuteronomy 4:19-20
Paragraph 20
How we see ourselves fundamentally shapes our Jewish path. Consider today’s paragraph:
The appraisal of oneself as being directly subordinate to God along with all creatures is demanded of Israel, as a shield against the deification of the creature and in order that with untrammeled gaze Israel may see everywhere only the One creative God and in all beings his servants.
This teaching reveals that self-understanding is vital for maintaining our Jewish integrity. To see ourselves as directly subordinate to God means we are neither greater nor lesser than any other creature.
We are entrusted with a unique mandate for self-appraisal, which grants us both agency—the freedom to choose our path—and a distinct ability to perceive the world through a holistic lens.
This blend of humility and mission, constantly held in balance, is at the very core of Judaism’s identity.
As Jews, we navigate life both as individuals and as members of a collective. We stand among the nations and yet apart from them—not as superior, but as distinct, with unique responsibilities and an exceptional heritage. Our knowledge and our actions are inextricably linked.
As a people, this self-understanding is more than an idea; it’s what compels us towards divine service. Our knowing drives us to keep carrying Judaism as we proceed through life and history.