The First Crusades
AIM: To examine Jewish responses to the violence of the Crusades
INTRODUCTION:
100s of thousands of Crusaders in First Crusade, responded to call of Pope Urban II. Many Jews chose to die al Kiddush Hashem, as martyrs, rather than to convert. Kiddush Hashem refers to the sanctification of Hashem’s name. Others chose conversion.
Martyrdom is not unprecedented in Jewish history (for example, the story of Massada) but is not really approved of except in very specific circumstances.
There are 3 main contemporary accounts of Jewish martyrdom at this time, but it is not obvious whether these accounts are precise historical accounts or whether they have been embellished somewhat as martyrology in order to glorify the courage of the martyrs and to honour them. The chronicles include texts written by Solomon Bar Samson of Mainz, the Mainz Anonymous, and a report by Eliezer ben Natan.
The deeds of the martyrs are recorded and remembered during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Background to Crusades:
By mid 11th century - Weakness of Abbasid Muslim Empire: Newly converted Turks ascendant.
1071- Seljuk Turks defeat Byzantine Army
1095- First crusade launched by Pope Urban II. Response to a call by Byzantine emperor, Alexios Comnenos- aTppeal for help against Turks.
1099- Crusaders conquer Jerusalem. (Rule there until 1187)
1144- Second Crusade to preserve Jerusalem
1187- Jerusalem falls to Salah El Din, victor of Battle of Hittin. Leads to third crusade (Richard the Lionheart).
1190- York massacre/ suicide
1204- Sack of Constantinople- Short lived Latin Empire
1453- Fall of Constantinople to Muslim armies. End of Byzantine empire.
Text 1, Speech of Pope Urban II
The pope calls for a Crusade- nothing to do with Jews.
Pope; "Prelate over the whole world"
Your brethren who live in the East are in urgent need of your help...the Turks and Arabs have attacked them...destroyed the churches and devastated the empire......Destroy that vile race...you shall have immediate remission of sins...what a disgrace if such a despised and base race, which worships demons, should conquer.....set out on their way with God as their guide"
Text 2: Ekkehard of Aura: Emico, 1096.
The story of the First Crusade as related by a Benedictine monk.
Emico, a man of ill repute....called by divine revelation, like another Saul....utterly destroyed the execrable race of the Jews wherever they found them...or forced them into the bosom of the church.
Text 3: The Forced Conversion of the Jews of Regensberg:
The entire community in Regensburg chose conversion over martyrdom. Does this text suggest that the martyrs had a choice? The forced convertees of 1096 were later able to return to Judaism.
"It is now fitting to recount the praises of those who were forcibly converted"
Text 4, The Story of David the Gabbai
Another graphic description of a martyr’s sacrifice of his family and himself, "al kiddush Hashem", for the sanctification of God's name. The "pious man", the "righteous man.
Chazan calls this the Jewish counter crusade mentality, a mentality that mirrored that of the Crusaders and consisted, Chazan says, “in the sense of cosmic confrontation”....
Text 5, From the Chronicle of Solomon Bar Simson: Massacre in Mainz
Attempt to understand and give meaning:
Tested 10 times like our ancestor, Abraham...like Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah....they offered up their children as did Abraham with his son, Isaac.
- "Why did the heavens not darken?"
Text 6, A later commentary:
The ethical dilemma- murder or salvation?
Text 7, the Story of Amnon of Magenza (1140 CE)
The story of Rabbi Amnon, who repents of his baptism, and dies a martyr’s death. The prayer U’netaneh Tokef is attributed to him, although in fact, it seems to be much older. The story and prayers such as Av Harachamim keep the memory alive.
INTRODUCTION:
100s of thousands of Crusaders in First Crusade, responded to call of Pope Urban II. Many Jews chose to die al Kiddush Hashem, as martyrs, rather than to convert. Kiddush Hashem refers to the sanctification of Hashem’s name. Others chose conversion.
Martyrdom is not unprecedented in Jewish history (for example, the story of Massada) but is not really approved of except in very specific circumstances.
There are 3 main contemporary accounts of Jewish martyrdom at this time, but it is not obvious whether these accounts are precise historical accounts or whether they have been embellished somewhat as martyrology in order to glorify the courage of the martyrs and to honour them. The chronicles include texts written by Solomon Bar Samson of Mainz, the Mainz Anonymous, and a report by Eliezer ben Natan.
The deeds of the martyrs are recorded and remembered during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Background to Crusades:
By mid 11th century - Weakness of Abbasid Muslim Empire: Newly converted Turks ascendant.
1071- Seljuk Turks defeat Byzantine Army
1095- First crusade launched by Pope Urban II. Response to a call by Byzantine emperor, Alexios Comnenos- aTppeal for help against Turks.
1099- Crusaders conquer Jerusalem. (Rule there until 1187)
1144- Second Crusade to preserve Jerusalem
1187- Jerusalem falls to Salah El Din, victor of Battle of Hittin. Leads to third crusade (Richard the Lionheart).
1190- York massacre/ suicide
1204- Sack of Constantinople- Short lived Latin Empire
1453- Fall of Constantinople to Muslim armies. End of Byzantine empire.
Text 1, Speech of Pope Urban II
The pope calls for a Crusade- nothing to do with Jews.
Pope; "Prelate over the whole world"
Your brethren who live in the East are in urgent need of your help...the Turks and Arabs have attacked them...destroyed the churches and devastated the empire......Destroy that vile race...you shall have immediate remission of sins...what a disgrace if such a despised and base race, which worships demons, should conquer.....set out on their way with God as their guide"
Text 2: Ekkehard of Aura: Emico, 1096.
The story of the First Crusade as related by a Benedictine monk.
Emico, a man of ill repute....called by divine revelation, like another Saul....utterly destroyed the execrable race of the Jews wherever they found them...or forced them into the bosom of the church.
Text 3: The Forced Conversion of the Jews of Regensberg:
The entire community in Regensburg chose conversion over martyrdom. Does this text suggest that the martyrs had a choice? The forced convertees of 1096 were later able to return to Judaism.
"It is now fitting to recount the praises of those who were forcibly converted"
Text 4, The Story of David the Gabbai
Another graphic description of a martyr’s sacrifice of his family and himself, "al kiddush Hashem", for the sanctification of God's name. The "pious man", the "righteous man.
Chazan calls this the Jewish counter crusade mentality, a mentality that mirrored that of the Crusaders and consisted, Chazan says, “in the sense of cosmic confrontation”....
Text 5, From the Chronicle of Solomon Bar Simson: Massacre in Mainz
Attempt to understand and give meaning:
Tested 10 times like our ancestor, Abraham...like Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah....they offered up their children as did Abraham with his son, Isaac.
- "Why did the heavens not darken?"
Text 6, A later commentary:
The ethical dilemma- murder or salvation?
Text 7, the Story of Amnon of Magenza (1140 CE)
The story of Rabbi Amnon, who repents of his baptism, and dies a martyr’s death. The prayer U’netaneh Tokef is attributed to him, although in fact, it seems to be much older. The story and prayers such as Av Harachamim keep the memory alive.