Hirsch Bär Fassel (21 August 1802 – 27 December 1883; also known as Hirsch Baer Fassel or Hirsch B. Fassel) was an influential rabbi and philosopher.

Biography

He was born in Boskovice. 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. He preached in German and allowed the consumption of kitniyot during Passover. He served as the rabbi of Prostějov until 1851 and then in Nagykanizsa until his death in 1883. 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 the Hebrew Union College. His daughter Rosa Sonneschein was the founder of the American Jewess.

Books