Solomon Frensdorff
Encyclopedia
Solomon Frensdorff was a German Jewish Hebraist.
While pursuing his studies at the Johanneum gymnasium in Hamburg, he was introduced to Hebrew literature by Isaac Bernays
, who exerted considerable influence upon his later attitude toward Judaism
, and religion in general. He studied philosophy and Semitic languages at the University of Bonn
. In that city he became acquainted with Abraham Geiger
, who, in various letters to his friends, repeatedly expressed esteem for Frensdorff's character and learning.
In 1837 Frensdorff became head master of the Jewish religious school at Hanover
, and in 1848 was appointed principal of the new Jewish seminary for teachers in that city, which position he held until his death.
Frensdorff throughout his career devoted himself chiefly to the critical examination and publication of Masoretic works. His writings on these are:
While pursuing his studies at the Johanneum gymnasium in Hamburg, he was introduced to Hebrew literature by Isaac Bernays
Isaac Bernays
thumbIsaac Bernays was chief rabbi in Hamburg.-Life:Bernays was born in Mainz. He was the son of Jacob Gera, a boarding house keeper at Mainz, and an elder brother of Adolphus Bernays...
, who exerted considerable influence upon his later attitude toward Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, and religion in general. He studied philosophy and Semitic languages at the University of Bonn
University of Bonn
The University of Bonn is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in its present form in 1818, as the linear successor of earlier academic institutions, the University of Bonn is today one of the leading universities in Germany. The University of Bonn offers a large number...
. In that city he became acquainted with Abraham Geiger
Abraham Geiger
Abraham Geiger was a German rabbi and scholar who led the founding of Reform Judaism...
, who, in various letters to his friends, repeatedly expressed esteem for Frensdorff's character and learning.
In 1837 Frensdorff became head master of the Jewish religious school at Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
, and in 1848 was appointed principal of the new Jewish seminary for teachers in that city, which position he held until his death.
Frensdorff throughout his career devoted himself chiefly to the critical examination and publication of Masoretic works. His writings on these are:
- Fragmente aus der Punktations-und Accentlehre der Hebräischen Sprache, with the Hebrew text (Darke ha-Niḳḳud weha-Neginot), ascribed to R. Moses Punctator, Hanover, 1847 (dedicated to Bernays);
- Oklah we-Oklah, ib. 1864
- Die Massora Magna part i.
- Massoretisches Wörterbuch, Leipsic and Hanover, 1876
- Aus dem Sefer ha-Zikronot des Elias Levita in "Monatsschrift," xii. 96 et seq.