Joseph, on the other hand talmidim in Pressburg earned an external baccalaureate in return for exemption from the draft as theological students. This stood the Orthodox in Hungary in good stead when a Pressburger was appointed Chief Rabbi. He spoke to Franz Josef in German whereas the head of the Neolog (Reform) spoke literary Hungarian, which annoyed the Emperor, who hated the Hungarian language he had to use there as part of the Dual Monarchy compromise. Rav Hirsch also insisted on a full program of secular studies (Torah im Derech Eretz). Both Rabbenu Bachya and the Gra say that one cannot be considered wise if he is not knowledgeable of the seven secular areas of wisdom (Logic, Mathematics, Ethics, Natural Science, Astronomy, Music, Theology). In order to function in a modern democracy one also needs a knowledge of the country’s history and political institutions. It goes without saying that one must be fluent in the language of the country (the Netziv, BTW, expressed regret at never having learned Russian and Rav Soloveitchik’s mother taught him Russian literature).
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