The term "maskil" (מַשְׂכִּיל) is a Hebrew word that means "intelligent," "wise," or "enlightened." In Jewish tradition, a maskil is a person who possesses both knowledge and wisdom, and who is skilled in interpreting and understanding Jewish texts and teachings.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the term "maskil" was also used to describe a movement of Jewish intellectuals in Eastern Europe who sought to modernize Jewish society and culture, and to promote secular education and the use of the Hebrew language. These maskilim were often at odds with traditionalists who opposed their reforms and viewed them as a threat to Jewish identity and religious observance.
Today, the term "maskil" is sometimes used more broadly to refer to anyone who is knowledgeable and enlightened in a particular field or area of study, and who seeks to use that knowledge for the betterment of society.
