page_title: Torah im Derech Eretz
section_title: Knowledge of the natural world
hierarchical_section_title: Torah im Derech Eretz / Derech Eretz / Knowledge of the natural world
caption_attribution_description: English: Cropped form of File:Whilst time is unveiling, Science is exploring Nature.jpg. Illustration from a ticket for the Leverian Museum in London, England. Shelfmark: Tickets 11 (10a)
context_page_description: Torah im Derech Eretz
  is a phrase common in Rabbinic literature referring to various aspects of one's interaction with the wider world.
  It also refers to a philosophy of Orthodox Judaism articulated by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, which formalizes a relationship between traditionally observant Judaism and the modern world. Some refer to the resultant mode of Orthodox Judaism as Neo-Orthodoxy.
context_section_description: Maharal, Judah Loew (1525–1609), points out that Derech Eretz is not limited to "earning a living"; rather, the concept encompasses hanhaga tiv`it, "operating in the natural world". Here, Maharal in his Derech Chaim comments on the later Mishna, Avoth 3:21, which discusses the interdependence of "Torah and flour (kemakh)" as well as the interdependence of "Torah and Derech Eretz". Kemakh, flour, clearly refers to monetary livelihood (with Torah referring to spiritual livelihood). Thus, Derech Eretz refers to more than just "earning a livelihood" and includes the knowledge and skills that facilitate success in the "world of Nature". See.
caption: "Whilst time is unveiling, Science is exploring Nature". 18th century engraving by William Skelton (1763–1848), symbolizing knowledge of the natural world.
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