"German Socrates" - Moses Mendelssohn

 German philosopher-writer Moses Mendelssohn was born in Dessau on September 6, 1729 in a distressed Jewish family. His father, Menachem Mendel, was a copyist of religious writings. In childhood, Moses reveals his incredible intellect, and the desire to learn. First he studies the poetry and philosophy of Maimonides.

In 1742, his father sent him along with the rabbi to Berlin, where he studied Latin and mathematics. He became acquainted with the works of John Locke and gradually mastered the subtleties of modern philosophy. In 1748 he met physician Moses Salomon, who taught him French and English, and opened the philosophical principles of Leibniz. A little later Mendelssohn began to write his famous book "On the  sensations" (1755) and translates Rousseau's treatise "Speech on the  origin and the basis of inequality between people."

In 1750, Moses received the place of a tutor from the children of the owner of a garment factory. However, his career is rapidly rising, at the factory he is an accountant, and then becomes a business partner.

Meeting with Lessing in 1754 played a huge role in the life of Mendelssohn. Although they were very different in character, but quickly became friends while playing chess. Since then, their creative cooperation has arisen on the basis of unconditional commitment to the ideals of the Enlightenment. Under  the influence of Lessing, Mendelssohn studied the ancient Greek  language and delved into the essence of Plato's original works. Together they established the publication of some magazines

In 1761 Mendelssohn married to Frometh Gugenheim. In the family, which was cemented by the bonds of loyal love, six children grew up.

Mendelssohn becomes respected and authoritative in the learned world. His friends were the philosophers Herder and Kant, the writer Wiland,  the traveler Alexander Humboldt and many other famous personalities ..

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In 1763, the work of Mendelssohn, at the competition in the Academy of  Sciences of Prussia, won first place, second place was awarded to the  work of Kant.

Students  Mendelssohn, under his direct leadership created the movement  "Haskaloo", in which Jews are invited to get rid of their "medieval  mentality" and fight for their cultural revival. After decades, the ideas of Hassalat (Haskala) spread throughout Europe, and orthodox Jews will confront them.

Under the New 1785, Mendelssohn caught a cold. The  illnesses did not attach much importance, but the state of the  56-year-old philosopher deteriorated rapidly, and on January 4, 1786, he  died.