Moses Mendelssohn and the Anonymous Hebrew Writer

Abstract

In his writing “On the Question: What is Enlightenment?” Moses Mendelssohn considers that, in cases where human enlightenment would compromise the stability of the State, the philosophy must remain silenced. To justify this, he appeals to the words of “a Hebrew writer”, but without mentioning him. The present article will offer a detailed analysis of the references implied in this quotation, facilitating the task of interested readers. Starting from it, an alternative interpretation of Mendelssohn’s writing will be proposed, reading between the lines, inspired by the philosophy of Leo Strauss. With special attention to the citizenship conditions of Mendelssohn and the Jews, the philosophical and political understanding that an enlightened Jewish philosopher could have of this text will be considered.