The Correspondence of Walter Benjamin and Gershom Scholem

The Correspondence of Walter Benjamin and Gershom Scholem presents letters exchanged between two influential German-Jewish intellectuals from 1932 until Benjamin's death in 1940. The collection captures their dialogue during the rise of Nazism and their respective exiles, with Benjamin writing from Paris and Scholem from Jerusalem. The letters reveal the development of Benjamin's critical theories and Scholem's groundbreaking work in Jewish mysticism. Their exchanges cover philosophy, literature, politics, and their personal struggles as Jewish scholars facing the catastrophic events of their time. These intimate correspondences document Benjamin's final years and his complex relationship with Marxism, while also tracking Scholem's establishment of Jewish studies as an academic discipline. Scholem's later annotations and commentary provide context for their discussions. The collection stands as both historical record and philosophical dialogue, demonstrating how intellectual friendship can sustain rigorous thinking in times of crisis. Their letters explore the intersection of Jewish thought, modernism, and political reality.

Readers value this collection as a window into the intellectual relationship between two major 20th century Jewish thinkers. The letters reveal their debates about Zionism, Marxism, and Jewish mysticism from 1932-1940. Likes: - Documents transformation of their friendship over time - Shows development of their opposing views on Judaism and politics - Provides context for understanding Benjamin's later works - Translation quality maintains academic rigor Dislikes: - Dense philosophical discussions require background knowledge - Some letters focus on mundane personal matters - Gaps in correspondence leave narrative holes - Limited annotation makes some references unclear Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (41 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) Notable reader comment: "These letters show two brilliant minds grappling with the major questions of Jewish identity and modernity. Not an easy read but worth the effort." - Goodreads reviewer Another notes the "fascinating tension between Benjamin's Marxism and Scholem's religious Zionism" but wishes for "more editorial context."

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📚 The letters between Walter Benjamin and Gershom Scholem span nearly 40 years (1932-1940) and provide intimate insights into both the rise of Nazi Germany and the development of modern Jewish thought. 🔍 Scholem, who became one of the foremost scholars of Jewish mysticism, first met Benjamin in 1913 when they were both students in Berlin, forming a lifelong intellectual friendship despite their eventual geographic separation. ✉️ The correspondence reveals Benjamin's struggle with the decision to leave Germany, his financial hardships in exile, and his complex relationship with Marxism—all of which culminated in his tragic suicide at the French-Spanish border in 1940. 📖 Many of the letters discuss Benjamin's unfinished magnum opus, "The Arcades Project," offering valuable context for understanding this influential work about 19th-century Paris. 🌟 The book contains numerous debates about Zionism, as Scholem had emigrated to Palestine in 1923 and repeatedly urged Benjamin to join him there—a path Benjamin ultimately chose not to take.