Arrested on 9 November 1938 during the events of Kristallnacht, Emil Fackenheim survived internment at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp before eventually establishing himself as a significant figure in religious philosophy. His career spanned continents, moving from his origins in Germany to academic and rabbinical roles in Canada and finally to his later years in Israel.
Academic Formation and Early Career
Fackenheim studied at the Stadtgymnasium in Halle and the Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums. Following his release from internment and arrival in Canada, he served as the Interim Rabbi at Temple Anshe Shalom in Hamilton, Ontario, between 1943 and 1948. He later pursued advanced studies at the University of Toronto, earning a PhD in 1945 with a dissertation focused on medieval Arabic philosophy.
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For over three decades, Fackenheim served as a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto, holding the position from 1948 until 1984. During this period, he became a recognized voice in religious thought and acted as an original editorial advisor for the scholarly journal Dionysius. His professional contributions were recognized with a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1956.
Philosophical and Religious Contributions
Fackenheim focused his research on the relationship between the Jewish people and God. He developed the concept of the 614th commandment, which posited a moral imperative for Jewish survival and the continuity of Jewish existence. His work emphasized the importance of maintaining faith and Jewish identity, an intellectual legacy that earned him the Abraham Geiger Prize in 2002 shortly before his death in Jerusalem in 2003.
Fast facts
- Born: 1916, Halle (Saale)
- Died: 2003, Jerusalem
- Religion: Judaism
- Citizenship: Germany
- Primary Occupation: University teacher and philosopher
- Major Award: Guggenheim Fellowship (1956)
- Final Resting Place: Har HaMenuchot
Questions readers ask
What was the 614th commandment?
It is a philosophical imperative proposed by Fackenheim, arguing that Jewish survival and the continuation of Jewish life is a moral duty.
Where did Fackenheim spend his academic career?
He was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto from 1948 to 1984.
