MODERN JEWISH PHILOSOPHY and RELIGION Translations and Critical Studies

THE STAR OF REDEMPTION i MODERN JEWISH PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION Translations and Critical Studies Barbara E. Galli and Elliot R. Wolfson, Series Editors Hermann Cohen Ethics of Maimonides Translated with commentary by Almut Sh. Bruckstein Emil Fackenheim An Epitaph for German Judaism: From Halle to Jerusalem Shaul Magid Hasidism on the Margin: Reconciliation, Antinomianism, and Messianism in Izbica and Radzin Hasidism Franz Rosenzweig On Jewish Learning ii THE STAR OF REDEMPTION FRANZ ROSENZWEIG In Translation by Barbara E. Galli iii The University of Wisconsin Press 1930 Monroe Street Madison, Wisconsin 53711 www.wisc.edu/wisconsinpress/ 3 Henrietta Street London WC2E 8LU, England Copyright © 2005 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System All rights reserved 5 4 3 2 1 Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Rosenzweig, Franz, 1886–1929. [Stern der Erlösung. English] The star of redemption / Franz Rosenzweig; translated by Barbara E. Galli; foreword by Michael Oppenheim; introduction by Elliot R. Wolfson p. cm. – (Modern Jewish philosophy and religion. Translations and critical studies) Includes index. ISBN 0-299-20720-X (hardcover: alk. paper). — ISBN 0-299-20724-2 (pbk: alk. paper) 1. Judaism. 2. Cosmology. 3. Religion—Philosophy. 4. Philosophy, Jewish. I. Galli, Barbara E. (Barbara Ellen) 1949–. II. Title. III. Series. BM565.R613 2004 296.3—dc22 2004015718 iv Contents Acknowledgments vii Barbara E. Galli Foreword Michael Oppenheim xi Introduction to Barbara Galli’s Translation of Rosenzweig’s Star Elliot R. Wolfson xvii The Star of Redemption Franz Rosenzweig 1 Index 449 v vi Acknowledgments vii Friendships have formed, are forming, through us, between us, those of us who have met with Franz Rosenzweig upon the pages he left for us, these very rich pages that touch us to think, to think anew. First to Rosenzweig, and then to all friends known and unknown, to friendships that will form, in a hundred years and in hundreds of years—to these souls, thank you. Were it proper, and I think it is not for a work of translation only, were it proper to dedicate this volume to someone, it would be to Rafael Rosenzweig, who has been kind to us who have come to his father’s writings. Along with his father’s, may his memory be for a blessing. This edition before us is the 1920 original version of Rosenzweig’s Stern der Erlösung, in an English translation. The appendices that were prepared by Nahum N. Glatzer in accordance with Rosenzweig’s instructions included in both the 1930 and the 1954 German editions, are here omitted; they can be found, ex- panded, in William W. Hallo’s English editions of 1970, 1971, and 1985. The marginal headings, or more accurately, subject guides, which were devised by Rosenzweig subsequent to the 1920 publication, and which are set in the 1930 and 1954 German edition, however, are replicated here. Because Rosenzweig wanted his name to appear only at the end of the Star (a request denied by his publisher), and because he wished further that one day vaster communities might philoso- phize in life within the “new thinking,” and that this be done without attributing this way of thinking and living to his name, either in association or in thanks, I am therefore partially attempting to comply with these wishes by leaving out the bio- graphical information included in the 1930 and 1954 German editions. By now, at any rate, many places amply provide details of the course of Rosenzweig’s brief life on earth. The index, which I hope will be helpful, is likely, even yet, insufficient for the nature of the tastes and needs of all, and certainly insufficient for the nature of Rosenzweig’s symphonically, poetically composed opus, with its repetitions comprising reversals, its crescendos, its pianissimos, rest notes, and silent notes of allusion. A second volume could be prepared, to accompany these silent notes. The sprin- kling of footnotes is merely a foretaste, denoting incompleteness on the one hand, and on the other hand the completeness of the Star as it stands unannotated. Yet, my smattering of footnotes may provide an impetus for a fuller treatment, indeed for a complete book solely of annotations. Anna M. Rosenberg, of the older Vienna, my first professor of German, over thirty years ago now, has become an intimate friend, in part through helping me translate some of the more tricky sentences of Rosenzweig’s writings throughout many seasons. She did not wish to be acknowledged, but she who breathed the same air as Rosenzweig did—how can I not acknowledge her? viii Translator’s Acknowledgments Karin Doerr, professor of German language and literature, has devoted much of her research to the changes in and the usages of the German language leading up to, during, and since the bleak Third Reich. She kindly offered to discuss some of Rosenzweig’s terminology, and to read through early versions of my type- script. My attempts at thanking her never seem to measure up, for she (wrongly) claims that no thanks are due. William W. Hallo’s translation of the Star has benefited those of us who were first introduced to Rosenzweig in the English language. The benefits of these thirty-four years remain young for a work that is lasting. In many, or even most ways, my own translation seems somehow foreign to me, so long has Hallo’s rendering been a part of me. As difficult as it was, during this work, I tried to forget that copies of his edition sit on my shelves, some now tattered from repeated use, and did not turn to them, even though Kafka’s policeman would sneeringly laugh on many a day, saying “Give up, give up.” May that policeman turn back again, may the fog lift from his blindness to other, mysterious forms of collaboration and conversation. Between black and white, blended, there may be, not gray, but a silvery starlight until that day of golden light, with no words between. Alexandre Derczansky and Jean-Louis Schlegel prepared a French translation over twenty years ago. This version I did consult, for differences that, oddly, would draw closer into the German through an Anglo mind versed in the Latin lan- guages. Several of my footnotes are directly indebted to theirs. Shortly after the completion of my work, however, in a local francophone bookstore I happened upon the 2003 edition. It has been revised and annotated by Schlegel, and has a preface by Stéphane Mosès. Alexander van Ligten published a Dutch translation in 2000. The volume is exquisite: beautiful paper, beautiful font, and a comely jacket. It is no surprise to hear that the translation reflects the outer beauty. Alexander’s unbidden but gratefully received suggestions and advice, his readiness in standing by, are more appreciated than he will ever know. His appendix of literary references to the Star shows the standard that is possible, a shining model indeed. David Novak, briefly and from time to time, but effectively on every count, gave inestimable encouragement. Robert Gibbs keeps good cheer, multiplying the brightness of his mind; and infused with good cheer, we can always walk on. Norman Ravvin, Chair of Concordia University Institute for Canadian Jewish Studies (Montreal), graciously agreed to every request for financial assistance to attend conferences over a three-year period, where, besides the usual presenting of papers, I could meet face-to-face with those, so many of whom are unnamed here, who in various ways became a piece of this enterprise. I am especially thank- ful for the airfare to Tempe, Arizona, where The Rosenzweig Society met in 2002. Translator’s Acknowledgments ix In fact, I owe great thanks to all the members of The Rosenzweig Society who met in Tempe, Arizona, and in Kassel, Germany, Rosenzweig’s home- town, in 2004. How I would have loved to offer a copy of this work to Rabbi Professor Albert Hoschander Friedlander. We have all been saddened these past weeks, and we pray that his gentle soul is already resting, in the early fashion of good souls. Robert A. Mandel, Director of the University of Wisconsin Press, a friend through years of collaboration, has been flexible and generous. Two of his assistants have been marvelous during the publishing process: Tricia Brock and Gwen Walker. Donna Martin, of Tuscaloosa Alabama, served as compositor. Robert Mandel, who reshapes boxes, permitted Donna and me to work together. I thank Donna and her husband Ron for giving me sultry southern air, a place far away from home, for weeks at a time, to work in their welcoming atmosphere. Who would ever believe that this is Donna’s first experience at typesetting? That is the nature of Robert, to take risks and to give people chances, and we both thank him, with enormous respect. Joseph N. Galli, my father, with civil engineering practicality, constructed bridges from rocky shores to more sheltered coastlines, and these bridges supported many vehicles of transportation, including some advice to the effect that overly tight- ened bowstrings will not make music. Dennis and Louise Galli offered another hearth away from home, in Texas. Their unasked for generosity in financial assistance and otherwise, their huge hearts and positive energy, inspired many a day. Arlene Yusim, respecter of language, deep and true, understanding of and in friendship, is very much thanked. Vivien and Harry Monn, who do not read Rosenzweig, and likely will not, will smile nonetheless whenever I get the chance to describe Rosenzweig’s views on eating alone. For their companionship, for teaching, by delightful ex- ample, and unbeknownst to themselves, the wondrously restorative properties of restaurant dining, all the while showing warmth to and interest in the surrounding community, the nearest neighbor, leaving each neighbor somehow better for having been found.

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