Torah im Derech Eretz

Torah im Derech Eretz (Hebrew תורה עם דרך ארץ - Torah with "the way of the land") is a philosophy of Orthodox Judaism articulated by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888), which formalises a relationship between traditionally observant Judaism and the modern world. The resultant mode of Orthodox Judaism is known as Neo-Orthodoxy.

Derech Eretz: The way of the land

The phrase Torah im Derech Eretz is first found in the Mishna in Tractate Avoth (2:2): "Beautiful is the study of Torah with derech eretz, as involvement with both makes one forget sin". The term derech eretz, literally the way of the land, is inherently ambiguous ? it has a wide range of meanings in Rabbinic literature, referring to earning a livelihood, to behaving appropriately, among others.

Related Topics:
Mishna - Avoth - Study of Torah - Derech eretz - Rabbinic literature

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Appropriate behaviour and good character

In the Talmud and Midrash, there are approximately 200 teachings concerning derech eretz as decent, polite, respectful, thoughtful and civilized behavior. One representative teaching is that "Derech eretz comes before Torah" (Midrash - Vayikra Rabbah) - one cannot personify Torah until he demonstrates derech eretz in everything that he does. There are many more such teachings in the acharonim (post-Talmudic authorities). The mussar literature, in fact, represents an entire body of thought devoted to the subject of middot (character traits) and "behaving like a mentsh" (refined human being). Here, the way that one behaves is regarded as an external manifestation of one's middot.

Related Topics:
Talmud - Midrash - ''Midrash - Vayikra Rabbah'' - Acharonim - Mussar - Character trait

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Earning a livelihood

In the context of this Mishnaic statement above, the meaning of Derech Eretz is clearly "earning a livelihood" (Maimonides, Commentary on the Mishna). Note that "earning a livelihood" - with the requisite training - is discussed in various tractates in the Talmud (see Berachot 35b) as well as in the halakhic literature (e.g. Mishnah Torah, Deot Ch.5, Talmud Torah Ch.3). In general, Rabbinic opinion sees a requirement for earning a livelihood, but in such a fashion that one may also study, and live, Torah.

Related Topics:
Maimonides - Commentary on the Mishna - Talmud - Halakhic - Mishnah Torah

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Knowledge of the natural world

Maharal, Judah Loew (1525 - 1609), points out that Derech Eretz is not limited to "earning a living"; rather the concept encompasses hanhaga tiv`it, "operating in the natural world". Here, Maharal comments on a later Mishna, Avoth 3:20 (see Derech Chaim ad loc), which discusses the interdependence of "Torah and flour (kemakh)" as well as the interdependence of "Torah and Derech Eretz". Kemakh, flour, clearly refers to monetary livelihood (with Torah referring to spiritual livelihood) - thus Derech Eretz refers to more than just "earning a livelihood" and includes the knowledge and skills that facilitate success in the "world of Nature".

Related Topics:
Maharal - 1525 - 1609 - Mishna - Avoth - Derech Chaim

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Knowledge of culture and society

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808 - 1888) was amongst the first to extend the defintion of Derech Eretz to incorporate a broad knowlege of, and appropriate interaction with, culture and society. Hirsch states that "Derech Eretz includes everything that results from the fact that man?s existence, mission and social life is conducted on Earth, using earthly means and conditions. Therefore this term especially describes ways of earning a livelihood and maintaining the social order. It also includes the customs and considerations of etiquette which the social order generates as well as everything concerning humanistic and civil education" (commentary on Avoth ad loc). Hirsch's conception also entails the qualification that there be no compromise on strict adherence to Jewish law. The resultant philosophy of Orthodox Judaism in the modern world, referred to as "Torah im Derech Eretz", is discussed below.

Related Topics:
Samson Raphael Hirsch - 1808 - 1888 - Culture and society - Earth - Considerations of etiquette - Social order - Humanistic - Commentary - Avoth - Ad loc - Entails - Jewish law - Orthodox Judaism - Modern world

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