The Kabbalah, or The Religious Philosophy of the Hebrews

Born in Liocourt, France, Adolphe Franck had a long career teaching philosophy and, later, natural and civil law. Author of one of the first critical histories of the Kabbalah, Franck published numerous works of philosophy. He took advantage of his early training in Hebrew studies to defend Judaism, whether through teaching, lectures, and journalism, or through work in organizations such as the Anti-Atheist League, the Society for Translation of the Scriptures, and the Society for Jewish Studies. He argued that the grounds for civil law and punishment derived from society’s right to defend itself, rather than from the ancient tradition of retribution.