# Meir Friedmann

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**Meir (Ish Shalom) Friedmann** (10 July 1831 in [Kraszna](/source/Kru%C5%BEn%C3%A1) (Slovak: *Kružná*), [district of Kashau](/source/Ko%C5%A1ice_Region) (Košice Region), [Kingdom of Hungary](/source/Kingdom_of_Hungary), [Austrian Empire](/source/Austrian_Empire) – 1908 in [Vienna](/source/Vienna), [Austria-Hungary](/source/Austria-Hungary))[1] was an Austrian-Hungarian [Jewish](/source/Judaism) scholar. His editions of the *[Midrash](/source/Midrash)* are the standard texts. His chief editions were the *[Sifre](/source/Sifre)* (1864), the *[Mekhilta](/source/Mekhilta)* (1870), *[Pesiqta Rabbathi](/source/Pesiqta_Rabbathi)* (1880). At the time of his death he was editing the *[Sifra](/source/Sifra)*. Friedmann, while inspired with regard for tradition, dealt with the Rabbinic texts with modern scientific methods, and rendered conspicuous service to the critical investigation of the Midrash and to the history of early homilies.[2]

## Biography

In 1844, at the age of 13, he entered the [yeshiva](/source/Yeshiva) at [Ungvar](/source/Ungvar), [Carpathian Ruthenia](/source/Carpathian_Ruthenia) region (now part of [Ukraine](/source/Ukraine)) and studied with [Meir Eisenstaedter](/source/Meir_Eisenstaedter) (also called Meir Asch).[3] There, he was attracted to [Chasidism](/source/Chasidism) and [Kabbalah](/source/Kabbalah). At the age of sixteen, he was led by the "Bi'ur" of [Moses Mendelssohn](/source/Moses_Mendelssohn) to the study of the [Bible](/source/Bible), and became deeply interested in [Hebrew poetry](/source/Jewish_literature#Poetry), especially in [Wessely](/source/Naphtali_Herz_Wessely)'s "Shire Tife'ret". At twenty, while living at [Miskolc](/source/Miskolc), where he earned his livelihood by giving *[Talmud](/source/Talmud)* instruction, he took up secular studies. In 1858 he entered the [University of Vienna](/source/University_of_Vienna). In 1864, when the Vienna [bet ha-midrash](/source/Bet_ha-midrash) was founded, he was chosen as teacher of the Bible and Midrash. Later he was hired as a [professor](/source/Professor) in the [Israelitisch-Theologische Lehranstalt](/source/Israelitisch-Theologische_Lehranstalt).[1] Among his students there was [Solomon Schechter](/source/Solomon_Schechter).

## Works

Friedmann has devoted himself chiefly to the editing of old [Midrashim](/source/Midrashim), to which he has added critical notes and valuable introductions. These notes, written in classical [rabbinical](/source/Rabbi) style, are models of precision and are of great value.[1]

- Friedmann has published the following works in [Hebrew](/source/Hebrew):

- - *The Sifre*, Vienna, 1864 - *The Mekilta*, ib. 1870 - *Eshet Chayil*, a commentary on [Proverbs](/source/Book_of_Proverbs), ib. 1878 - *The [Pesikta Rabbati](/source/Pesikta_Rabbati)*, ib. 1880 - *Ha-Tziyyon,* a rational interpretation of [Ezekiel](/source/Ezekiel), ib. 1882 - *Dabar 'al Odot ha-Talmud*, on the question whether the Talmud can be accurately translated, ib. 1885 - *Masseket Makkot,* a critical edition of the Talmudical treatise *[Makkot](/source/Makkot),* with a commentary, ib. 1888 - *Sefer Shofetim*, notes to [Judges](/source/Book_of_Judges), ib. 1891 - *Me'ir 'Ayin*, a commentary on the [Passover Haggadah](/source/Passover_Haggadah), ib. 1895 - *[Tanna debe Eliyahu](/source/Tanna_debe_Eliyahu),* ib. 1900[1]

- Friedmann's [German](/source/German_language) publications are:

- - *Worte der Erinnerung an Isaac Noa Mannheimer*, ib. 1873 - *Die Juden ein Ackerbautreibender Stamm*, ib. 1878 - *T. G. Stern, Gedenkrede*, ib. 1883 - *Zerubabel,* German explanation of [Isaiah](/source/Isaiah), ib. 1890 - *"Worte zur Feier des 100 Jahrigen Geburtstages des Seligen Predigers* [Isaac Noa Mannheimer](/source/Isaac_Noa_Mannheimer)", 1893 - *"[Onkelos](/source/Onkelos) und 'Akylos*," ib. 1896[1]

- From 1881 to 1886 Friedmann published, together with [Isaac Hirsh Weiss](/source/Isaac_Hirsh_Weiss), the monthly *Bet Talmud*, devoted to rabbinical studies. To this periodical Friedmann contributed, under the signature "**Ish Shalom**", many valuable essays, of which the most noteworthy are on the arrangement of the [Pentateuch](/source/Pentateuch) and on [Samuel](/source/Samuel).[1]

## Bibliography

### *Jewish Encyclopedia* Bibliography

- [Brainin](/source/Reuben_Brainin), in *Luach Ahiasaf*, pp. 343 et seq., 1901
- *[Ha-Shiloach](/source/Ha-Shiloa%E1%B8%A5)*, p. 573, 1901
- [Solomon Schechter](/source/Solomon_Schechter), in [Jew. Chron.](/source/Jewish_Chronicle) p. 17, June 28, 1901

### Additional bibliography

- An MA on his works by Rabbi [Binyamin Zeev Benedict](/source/Binyamin_Zeev_Benedict)

## References

- [Goldman, Yosef](/source/Yosef_Goldman). *[Hebrew Printing in America, 1735-1926, A History and Annotated Bibliography](/source/Hebrew_Printing_in_America,_1735-1926,_A_History_and_Annotated_Bibliography)* (YGBooks 2006). ISBN 1-59975-685-4.

1. ["Friedmann, Meir | Encyclopedia.com"](https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/friedmann-meir). *www.encyclopedia.com*. Retrieved 2026-05-24.

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