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- Title
Questions of Belief: Sammy Gronemann's Short Story "Der himmlische Lohn".
- Authors
Bodenheimer, Alfred
- Abstract
This article explores Sammy Gronemann's short story "Der himmlische Lohn" and its examination of belief within German Jewish culture. Gronemann, the son of a rabbi, delves into the influence of Protestant-capitalist ideals on the religious practices of German Jews, particularly the role of the rabbi as both interpreter of the law and pastor. The story portrays a cynical and diluted administration of religion, while also acknowledging the complex challenges faced by Orthodox rabbis in Germany at that time. Through a dialogue between a rabbi and a pious man named Chaim, the story challenges traditional Rabbinic thinking on the moral order of the world, specifically focusing on the concept of heavenly reward. Maimonides' distinction between "pras" (salary) and "sachar" (merit) is discussed, arguing that one should not expect immediate earthly rewards for God-pleasing actions, but rather the merit of the Last Judgment. The story follows Chaim, who always believed in the rewards for following God's commandments, but is confronted with the abstract nature of heavenly reward as he faces death. Chaim ultimately renounces the heavenly wage and rejects a tailor-made Judaism, prompting the rabbi to reflect on his last moments in the funeral oration. The text also highlights Gronemann's ironic and insightful observations on modern Orthodox Judaism.
- Subjects
CHICKEN as food; BREAST milk; BUSINESS partnerships; MIDDLE class; JEWISH ethics
- Publication
Naharaim -- Journal of German -- Jewish Literature & Cultural History / Zeitschrift für Deutsch -- jüdische Literatur und Kulturgeschichte, 2024, Vol 18, Issue 1, p37
- ISSN
1862-9148
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1515/naha-2024-0005