Survey of Jewish History Introduction to Judaism Winter 2008

Two Centers: Babylon and Jerusalem (4th- 10th Century)

Jews in the Sassanid Empire Long history in Babylon Is this Exile? –“We have made ourselves in Babylonia the equivalent of Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel.)” (Talmud) Cultural split between Jewish communities

The Sassanid Empire ( )

Life Under the Sassanids Political and religious autonomy Exilarch (Resh Galuta) –Centralized and Recognized Leadership Operate outside Roman Empire –Cultural autonomy –No need to respond to Christianity –Paradox of acculturation in Palestine vs. Babylon

Babylon as Jewish Authority Central academies move to Babylon Babylonia Talmud (5th Century CE) –Longer, more sophisticated than Jerusalem Talmud –Central text from Babylon not Jerusalem

The Babylonian Talmud

Jews Under Islam and Christendom What are similarities? –Theological place for Jews –Jews as second class citizen Differences? –Islam sees Judaism as venerable precursor –Christianity ambivalent about Jews The Problem with Monotheistic Truth

Judaism and Early Islam Jews already highly integrated into Arabian culture Biblical Culture had become Arabized –Abraham as founder of sacred shrines Muhammad expects Jews to become Muslims (submitters) Jews (as recorded in Qu’ran) refuse to accept Muhammad

The Rapid Rise of Islam Muhammad ( ) from Mecca Emigrates to Medina with Followers Following death, Islamic Empire spreads rapidly Global Jewish popular share one culture

The Spread of Islam and the Jews

Jews Under Islam “ Fight against those who do not believe in God or in the Last Day, and do not forbid what God and His messenger have forbidden, and do not practice the religion of truth among those who have been given the book, until the pay the juzya[special tax] of hand, humbled. ” (Qur ’ an 9:29)

The Jew in Islamic Society What do you know about Islamic-Jewish relations today? Jews and Christians: People of the Book Christians suspect--Trinity Second Class Status-Dhimmis –Economic Restrictions –Social Restrictions (clothes, horses) –Religious Restrictions (new churches)

Jews Thrive Under Islam Islamic World center of culture, science, philosophy (7-13th century) Center of Jewish life moves to Baghdad Saadia Gaon ( ) –Jewish philosophy in Arabic –Refers to God as Allah –First Jewish theology Karaites-”People of Scripture” (8th century)

The Golden Age of Spain (9th-12th Century) Islamic Conquest spreads to Iberian Peninsula Jews Completely integrated into society –Multi-ethnic, multi-religious –Polygamy –Rabbi Courtiers and Arabic love poetry Kahal-Jewish Communal Infrastructure

The Golden Age in Andalusia

Cordoba Synagogue, 1314

Wine, Woman, and Death “There came a voice: ‘Awake!’ Drink wine at morning’s break ‘Mid rose and camphor make A feast of all your hours… How can we be carefree Or raise our cups in glee, When by all men are we Rejected and despised?” (Dunash ben Labrat)

End of the Golden Age Almoravides from the South (12th Cent) Christians from the North Growing Pressure to Convert Inquisition (1480) and “New Christians” Expulsion in 1492 and Sephardim

Jews in Medieval Christian Europe Christendom vs. Islamic Empire Frankish Kings bring Jews to Central/Western Europe (9th century) Asheknazim Sets up basic economic tension –Not in Feudal hierarchy –Rely fully upon King, baron, or bishop Corporate communities

What Brings Jews to Central Europe? Economics –International Merchants –Settle at Political/Economic Centers Sets up basic economic tension –Not in Feudal hierarchy-No Land –Rely on Imperial or Royal protection –What are some of the problems with this set-up?

How do Jews in Christian Europe Live? Corporate communities –Charters for self-rule-royal support –Not integrated into Feudal Structure –Jewish court in charge of religions and civil affairs Not living in Ghettos –Social Mixing (trade, conversation, debates) –Polemical Interaction with Christians Ecclesia vs. Synagoga

Rabbinic Leadership Scholasticism generates interest in Jewish texts by Rabbinic leaders Rashi ( ) in Troyes and disciples –Best way to study Old French!

The Crusades and Medieval Persecution Rescue Christian Holy Sites (1099) Widespread massacres and forced conversion Blood Libels (1144) Fourth Lateran Council (1215) –Limited Usury, Jewish badge Talmud on-trial-Why? Black Death and Poison Wells (1348)

Jewish Expulsion 1290 Expulsion from England Jews expelled from France 1492 Expulsion from Spain

To Sum Up A Millennia What new challenges does post Second Temple Judaism pose? Is there a Jewish geographical, textual, linguistic center? How do Jews fare similarly/differently in Christian vs. Islamic societies?

Center Shifts to Poland Polish nobles encourage Jewish immigration “Po-lin” “Here we stay” Jews fill need for business expertise, trade, and land management Council of the Four Lands 1791 Established as the Pale of Settlement

Ottoman Empire (15th Century-20th century) Welcome Spanish (Sephardic) refugees Great economic opportunity Multi-linguistic, tolerant Empire Ladino

Return to Palestine Revival of Palestinian community Importance of Safed Center for Kabbalah –How to explain the exile? –Mystical approach

Jews in the Modern Period Emancipation –Recognition of Jews as equal citizens –The price of citizenship Enlightenment –Reason over revelation –The challenge to Judaism

The Enlightenment and Religion

Jewish Integration Rapidly enter the middle-class Embrace citizenship and national culture Judaism as a religion of reason The Limits of Emancipation

Major Developments Rise of Zionism and Founding of the State of Israel Holocaust and Destruction of European Jewry Russian Revolution and Suppression of Judaism in the Soviet Union Rise of the United States as Jewish Center