Theodor Lessing (8 February 1872, Hanover – 31 August 1933, Marienbad) was a German Jewish philosopher.
He is known for opposing the rise of Hindenburg as president of the Weimar Republic and for his classic on Jewish self-hatred (Der jüdische Selbsthaß), a book which he wrote in 1930, three years before Adolf Hitler came to power, in which he tried to explain the phenomenon of Jewish intellectuals who incited antisemitism against the Jewish people and who regarded Judaism as the source of evil in the world.
Lessing's political ideals, as well as his Zionism made him a very controversial person during the rise of Nazi Germany. He fled to Czechoslovakia where he lived in Marienbad in the villa of a local social democratic politician. On the night of 30 August 1933, he was assassinated by Sudeten German Nazi sympathizers. Lessing was shot through a window of the villa where he lived. His assassins were German Nazis from Sudetenland, Rudolf Max Eckert, Rudolf Zischka and Karl Hönl. They fled to Nazi Germany after the assassination.Lessing's philosophical views were influenced by Nietzsche and Afrikan Spir. According to Theodore Ziolkowski in Lessing's Geschichte als Sinngebung des Sinnlosen (History as Giving Meaning to the Meaningless), "writing in the tradition of Nietzsche, argued that history, having no objective validity, amounts to a mythic construct imposed on an unknowable reality, in order to give it some semblance of meaning."
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Some of their strengths
Theodor Lessing has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Generous, Imaginative, Analytical, Innovative, Brave, Honest, and Energetic.
Idealistic and Altruistic
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Theodor Lessing is someone who is an idealist and an altruist who possesses an innovative, intellectual, and analytical mind, and who approaches life in an optimistic and easygoing manner. A person who defines themself by their friends and what groups they belong to.
Soulful and Intuitive
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Theodor Lessing well know them as someone who can be graceful, romantic, and reserved, like gentle rain.
Truthful and Kind
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Theodor Lessing as someone who is honest, compassionate, imaginative, and instinctual.
A person who enjoys new challlenges, is a magnet for attracting other creative types, good at identifying opportunities, and who is good at forming loyal, lifelong friendships.
Dynamic and Imaginative
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Theodor Lessing is someone who can bring a purifying element to situations, and who is a risk-taker with vision and imagination.
They are also someone who is reflective, mysterious, and purposeful, who enjoys quiet and solo work, and who thrives in positions where there is no need to report to someone else.
Altruistic and Innovative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Theodor Lessing tends to be someone who sacrifices things for the good of others and wants to do "good" in the world. Who is often thought of as an innovator or rebel who thrives when trying to chase a breakthrough of some sort, who has a clear and sound mind, and who can be charming and sociable.
Some of Theodor Lessing's challenges
While Theodor Lessing has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Theodor Lessing can be Rebellious, Emotional, Selfish, Emotionally Distant, Short-tempered, Impulsive, and Unrealistic.
Rebellious and Emotionally Distant
One of Theodor Lessing's key challenges is that they are someone who can be rebellious and emotionally distant.
Unrealistic and Indecisive
Theodor Lessing is someone who can be unrealistic, indecisive, and lacking in confidence, who can be impulsive when it comes to making important decisions, have difficulty collaborating with others, can be argumentative and not willling to accept criticism, and who can be disappointed by the high expectations they place on others.
Serious and Callous
Finally, Theodor Lessing also can be too giving, come across as too "high and mighty", and can have a hard time expressing feelings.
