The Jews of Europe

What can we say about the “big picture” of medieval Judaism? What can we say about the “big picture” of medieval Judaism? How can we compare and contrast it with Christianity and Islam? How can we compare and contrast it with Christianity and Islam?

Medieval Judaism Where Did They Go? –Sadducees –Essenes –Messianic Jews –Pharisees*

Medieval Judaism The Jewish Diaspora –“Dispersion” after Jewish War, Bar Kochba Revolt –Ashkenazim Yiddish –Sephardim

Medieval Judaism The Tanakh –Contents Torah (Law) Nevi’im (Prophets) Ketuvim (Writings) –Written in Hebrew, Aramaic

Medieval Judaism Rabbinic Literature –The Mishnah Traditions compiled ca. AD 200 Clarifies, systematizes Torah –The Talmud Elaboration of, commentary on Mishnah Contains “Oral Torah” Foundational for religious study The Talmud

Medieval Judaism The Synagogue –Jewish meeting place –Services of readings, prayer –No distinct architectural type –Few medieval synagogues extant Old-New Synagogue, Prague (ca. 1270)

Medieval Judaism Holy Days and Times –Shabbat –Biblical holidays Passover Shavu’ot Rosh ha-Shannah Yom Kippur Sukkot –Rabbinical holidays Purim Hanukkah

Medieval Judaism Rashi (ca ) –Based in Troyes, France –Likely the rabbi there, founded yeshiva (1070) –Wrote biblical, talmudic commentaries Clear, concise Erudition Honest scholar –Influential for Jews – and Christians!

Medieval Judaism Moses Maimonides ( ) –From Cordoba  Cairo –Physician, Jewish philosopher –Guide of the Perplexed ( ) Covers spectrum of philosophical problems Concluded religion and philosophy are harmonious

Medieval Judaism Kabbalah –Jewish mystical tradition –Goals: mystical awareness, devoutness –Themes Need to reinterpret creation account Devotion to Scriptures Salvation of humanity, through Davidic Messiah –Book of Splendor (ca. 1290) Tree of Life

Medieval Judaism Judah the Hasid (ca ) –Based in Regensburg –Legends, miracles! –Valued devotion, piety over study –Practiced, taught humility

Medieval Judaism Questions?

Jews and Christians Trends in Jewish-Christian Relations in Europe –Overall cordial relations during Early Middle Ages Anti-Jewish legislation often ignored, not implemented Jews integrated in every aspect of European life Jews served in governments, armies; owned land, slaves –Relations deteriorated starting during the Crusades Went from toleration to marginalization, persecution Papacy called for toleration, but with restrictions and limitations

Jews and Christians The Code of Justinian –Jews to be 2 nd -class citizens –Negative view of Judaism –Judaism no longer religio licita –Attempted to forbid study of Talmud

Jews and Christians Pope Gregory the Great and the Jews –Theologically anti-Semitic –Hoped Jews would convert –Benign practical Jewish policy Guaranteed religious toleration Protected Jews’ rights

Jews and Christians The Kingdom of the Franks –Judaism the only non- Christian religion permitted –Jewish law recognized within Frankish law –Jews welcomed at court, esteemed for trading connections –Great rabbinic schools established Abul Abaz’s arrival in Aachen

Jews and Christians Questions?

Jews and Christians Accusations against Jews –“Blood libel” –Ritual murder –Host desecration –Well poisoning Murder of Simon of Trent (1475)

Jews and Christians

The Jews and Money Lending –Rising mercantile class  Jews driven out of commercial trade –Forced into money lending, practiced usury  resented –Moneylending Jews likened to Judas

Jews and Christians Judensau woodcut (ca. 1475)

Jews and Christians The Fate of the Talmud –To Christians, impious and blasphemous –Censored –Subject of trial in France (1240) –Periodic waves of seizures, burnings

Jews and Christians Violence against Jews –The York Massacre (1190) Mob attacked Jewish population Jews committed mass suicide in York Castle, others killed Debt documents destroyed –Strasbourg Massacre (1349) Believed well poisoning caused Black Death 900+ Jews burned, in their cemetery Christian mob before York Castle (1190)

Jews and Christians Expulsions of Jews –Expelled from Constantinople (10 th cent.)  participation in silk trade curtailed –Expelled from England (1290)  homes, capital confiscated –Expelled from France (1306) after several ritual murder, host desecration trials

Jews and Christians Questions?

The Jews of Europe What can we say about the “big picture” of medieval Judaism? What can we say about the “big picture” of medieval Judaism? How can we compare and contrast it with Christianity and Islam? How can we compare and contrast it with Christianity and Islam?