Thursday, August 03, 2006
The Jewish people (Part III)
As set up in the last post, two Jewish communities developed: European Jews and Middle Eastern Jews. In this post I wish to follow the history of the European Jews during the Middle Ages. In 330 AD Roman Emperor Constantine transfers the capital of the Empire from Rome to Constantinople. In 395 Roman Emperor Theodosius divides the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western administrative units. The Roman Empire is never the same again. The two divisions separate further and further because of Germanic Barbarian invasions from the North, economic strain, and political struggle. Around the time of Constantine, Christianity is declared the national religion. The Roman Church is the only institution to fill the new void in the west. The unequipped Germanic kings slowly find common ground with the new powerful Church. At this point I take a quick aside. The Church mentioned from this point forward is not the church/assembly I defined in earlier posts. Likewise, I am hesitant to refer to the west as Christian. I am not implying that genuine Christians were not misled or did not carry out heinous crimes; however, I believe the majority of the Church leaders were not true Christians, and many of the citizens were not allowed to think for themselves (and may not have had the ability too). The West was now ruled by the Church and the State.
Middle Ages: European Jews
The Catholic Church was quick to establish regulations—which the State was expected to enforce. Relationships with Jews were almost entirely forbidden; therefore, a chasm was created between the two religions. Other laws prevented Jews from participating in most economic activity and land ownership. Ironically, the Church prohibited usury, that is charging interest, in the Christian community. Therefore, most citizens of Christendom avoided money lending because of the inability to make a profit. Due to the need and the limitation of other trades, the Jews became very influential in loan issuing and interest.
Throughout the early Middle Ages isolated events of anti-Semitism were common. This hatred would be elevated once again in 1096: the First Crusade. Oddly, the Crusades were between the two largest religions. The battle was the West vs. the East, Christianity vs. Islam, the Cross vs. the Crescent, or the battle of the infidels. Unfortunately, the Jews were dragged in. Sadly, it was the West who did most of the persecution. In 1290 Jews were banished from England. Propaganda went wild. “The Jews killed Christ.” “The Jews was responsible for the problems of the world.”
In 1347 the devastating Black Plague would attack Europe. Many Jews would fall victim of the plague. However, due to Jewish health regulations, the Jew usually had a cleaner lifestyle. Plus, many Jewish communities were isolated due to earlier persecution. So the logic, or illogic, was that the Jews poisoned the drinking wells or God was punishing Europe because of the Jews. Many Jewish communities were exterminated. Several fled east.
Throughout the remainder of the Middle Ages the Jews would be banished from France in 1394; Germany, Italy, and the Balkan peninsula between 1350 and 1450; and after the Spanish Inquisition of 1478, the Jews would be finally banished from Spain in 1492. Where did many of the Jews end up? Poland. Overtime Poland had become sympathetic of the Jews. They were not free of persecution; however, the harassment was limited.
Middle Ages: European Jews
The Catholic Church was quick to establish regulations—which the State was expected to enforce. Relationships with Jews were almost entirely forbidden; therefore, a chasm was created between the two religions. Other laws prevented Jews from participating in most economic activity and land ownership. Ironically, the Church prohibited usury, that is charging interest, in the Christian community. Therefore, most citizens of Christendom avoided money lending because of the inability to make a profit. Due to the need and the limitation of other trades, the Jews became very influential in loan issuing and interest.
Throughout the early Middle Ages isolated events of anti-Semitism were common. This hatred would be elevated once again in 1096: the First Crusade. Oddly, the Crusades were between the two largest religions. The battle was the West vs. the East, Christianity vs. Islam, the Cross vs. the Crescent, or the battle of the infidels. Unfortunately, the Jews were dragged in. Sadly, it was the West who did most of the persecution. In 1290 Jews were banished from England. Propaganda went wild. “The Jews killed Christ.” “The Jews was responsible for the problems of the world.”
In 1347 the devastating Black Plague would attack Europe. Many Jews would fall victim of the plague. However, due to Jewish health regulations, the Jew usually had a cleaner lifestyle. Plus, many Jewish communities were isolated due to earlier persecution. So the logic, or illogic, was that the Jews poisoned the drinking wells or God was punishing Europe because of the Jews. Many Jewish communities were exterminated. Several fled east.
Throughout the remainder of the Middle Ages the Jews would be banished from France in 1394; Germany, Italy, and the Balkan peninsula between 1350 and 1450; and after the Spanish Inquisition of 1478, the Jews would be finally banished from Spain in 1492. Where did many of the Jews end up? Poland. Overtime Poland had become sympathetic of the Jews. They were not free of persecution; however, the harassment was limited.
# posted by Wesley Son of Cornelius @ 9:50 PM 
