Friedrich Weinreb: A Life Intertwined with Economy, Mysticism, and Human Design

Friedrich Weinreb was a remarkable individual, renowned for his multifaceted life as a Dutch economist, professor of econometrics, publicist, and an eminent mystical scholar of the Hebrew Bible and its roots in Kabbalah. Born on November 18, 1910, in Lemberg, Ukraine, in the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria in Austria-Hungary, Weinreb’s journey was a complex tapestry of intellect, spirituality, and survival.

Early Life and Academic Pursuits

Friedrich Weinreb was the eldest son in an orthodox Jewish family. The region he was born in was impoverished, leading many to emigrate. His parents, David Herch Weinreb, a cigar dealer, and Hencie (Hermine) Sternhell, moved during World War I via Vienna to Scheveningen, arriving on July 12, 1916. It was here that Friedrich spent his formative years.

From a young age, Friedrich exhibited extraordinary intelligence. He learned to read by age three and produced a “newspaper” by age five. He breezed through the Hogere Burger School and, in 1930, began studying economics at the Handels-Hoogeschool in Rotterdam, now known as Erasmus University. Unfortunately, his academic journey was interrupted by financial difficulties following the untimely death of his parents.

Professional Growth and Challenges

In January 1932, Friedrich found employment at the Dutch Economic Institute, overseen by notable figures such as Professor Piet Lieftinck and Jan Tinbergen, the 1969 Nobel Prize winner. This position allowed him to support his family while furthering his studies. On December 16, 1938, he officially became an economist. However, his career was disrupted during the German occupation due to his Jewish heritage, leading to his dismissal in November 1941.

The Weinreb Affair: A Complex Legacy

Faced with dire circumstances, Friedrich Weinreb embarked on a controversial path known as the Weinreb Affair. Beginning in December 1941, Weinreb crafted an elaborate deception intended to give hope to Jewish friends. He fabricated stories of a non-existent escape route from the Netherlands to Portugal and claimed to have been commissioned by an imaginary Wehrmacht general to compile a list of Jews seeking emigration.

This complex double play eventually led to his arrest by the Sicherheitsdienst (SD) in September 1942. Despite intense interrogation and torture, Weinreb maintained his act, convincing the SD of fictitious Wehrmacht plots. His actions, while controversial, were aimed at delaying the transportation of Jews to extermination camps.

Human Design: Friedrich Weinreb as a Generator

Friedrich Weinreb’s Human Design adds another layer of understanding to his life. As a Generator with a Sacral Inner Authority, his life’s work was deeply influenced by his natural energy and response to external stimuli. His Strategy, “To Respond,” suggests a life driven by engagement with opportunities that came his way, allowing him to navigate his complex life guided by his gut instincts.

Weinreb’s Profile, 1/3, describes a journey of introspection and experiential learning. The 1/3 Profile reflects a need to explore life deeply and to learn from direct experiences, both of which are evident in his diverse endeavors. His Incarnation Cross, the Right Angle Cross of Contagion (14/8 | 29/30), suggests a compelling influence over others and a capacity to instigate change, mirrored in his impact on Jewish resistance during the war.

Mysticism and Post-War Life

After the war, Weinreb faced accusations of fraud and collaboration, leading to his imprisonment. Despite these challenges, he continued to pursue his dual passions for economics and spirituality. His work “De bijbel als schepping” (The Bible as Creation) reflects his mystical interpretations of biblical narratives, viewing them not as literal events but as spiritual allegories.

Weinreb’s interest in mysticism was further expressed through his exploration of the Kabbalah and his belief in the spiritual significance of numbers. His Channel connections, 43-23 and 27-50, in Human Design, imply a unique ability to transform abstract concepts into practical insights, which he applied to his spiritual teachings.

Controversy, Influence, and Legacy

Friedrich Weinreb’s life was not without controversy. His philosophical views and teachings attracted both followers and detractors. Some accused him of being a charlatan, while others saw him as a misunderstood visionary. His work in numerology and Kabbalah attracted a following of Hebrew scholars and mystical seekers.

Despite the controversies, Weinreb’s influence persisted. He conducted lectures and published extensively on topics blending mysticism and spirituality. His teachings on the biblical story of Jonah, explored in his lectures in Antwerp, are regarded as some of his finest contributions to spiritual thought.

Personal Life and Later Years

Friedrich Weinreb married Esther Guthwirth in 1936, and together they had two sons and four daughters. His later years were spent in Switzerland after fleeing the Netherlands to escape imprisonment. He continued to write and lecture until his death on October 20, 1988, in Zurich.

In 1980, the Friedrich Weinreb Stiftung was established in Zurich to honor his legacy. Weinreb’s complex life and work remain subjects of discussion and intrigue, reflecting the multifaceted nature of his existence as both a Generator and a mystic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Friedrich Weinreb?

Friedrich Weinreb was a Dutch economist, professor, publicist, and mystical scholar known for his work on the Hebrew Bible and Kabbalah. He was involved in the controversial Weinreb Affair during World War II