The Days of My Life: A little-known autobiography of a 19th century Hungarian Rabbi

Abstract

ABSTRACT The article deals with the maskilic autobiography written in 1886 by a little-known Hungarian rabbi, Mózes Salamon (1837–1912). The autobiography, entitled The Days of My Life, was written in Hebrew in rhymed prose as a tribute to the medieval maqama. The bitter-sweet story of the author’s eventful youth is imbued with biblical expressions and connotations. Like other members of the Haskalah movement, the author stresses the vital importance of general education, while criticizing the religious educational system of his time and those who stand in the way of acquiring knowledge.