Hirsch Bär Fassel

Who was Hirsch Bär Fassel?

Hirsch Bär Fassel was an influential rabbi and philosopher who pioneered Reform Judaism in modern-day Austria. He was born in Boskowitz. His book Mozene Zedek, a manual for rabbis on Talmudic decisions on practical matters, urged other rabbis to be lenient in making rulings against individuals in non-criminal matters. Fassel believed that reforms in Judaism were legitimate, so long as they were brought about by rabbis.

Hirsch was a prolific writer who often had his sermons published in the Jewish press, and who was a frequent contributor to Austrian Jewish newspapers. In addition to Mozene Zedek, he wrote and published at least a dozen other books.

His manuscript of Mozene Zedek is on display at Hebrew Union College.