From Jerusalem, or on Religious Power and Judaism (1783)

A classic text of enduring significance, Moses Mendelssohn s Jerusalem (1783) stands as a powerful plea for the separation of church and state and also as the first attempt to present Judaism as a religion eminently compatible with the ideas of the Enlightenment. Allan Arkush s new translation, drawing upon the great strides made by Mendelssohn research in recent decades, does full justice to contemporary insights into the subject while authentically reflecting a distinguished eighteenth-century text. Alexander Altmann s learned introduction opens up the complex structure and background of Mendelssohn s ideas. His detailed commentary, keyed to the text, provides references to literary sources and interpretations of the philosopher s intent.