The Crusades and their Enduring Impact Flashcards
Who were the 2 parties who fought for supremacy in the 11th century? Explain.
For centuries the clergy and the secular rulers of France and Germany competed for control of the people. The struggle finally came to a head in 11 CE. Pope Urban II created a new strategy to undermine the emperor, Henry IV. He called all Christians to band together in a holy campaign to recapture ירושלים from the Muslim infidels.
Who was the Christian who came to the Pope to appeal for help?
Peter the Hermit, a French monk, came to the Pope with tales of horror of the persecution of the Christians in Jerusalem, and an appeal for help.
What ‘reward’ were the Christians promised in exchange for their efforts?
The participants of the Crusades were promised that they would be richly rewarded, both in this world and the next.
Did the Jews realize the danger they were in?
At first, the Jews didn’t realize the danger they were in. Only later, after the massacres had started, did they realize.
Why were the Jews in more danger then they perceived?
They assumed the armies would simply pass by the cities on the way to ירושלים, needing only food and lodgings. They didn’t realize the Crusaders were on a rampage, determined to get rid of the infidels from under there noses before moving on to the Middle East.
Could the Christians be convinced through bribery and other means to spare the Jews?
No. The armies were somewhat controllable, but the mobs could not be stopped.
Please explain about the 1st Crusade.
In the Spring of 4856, thousands of Crusaders gathered in France. They fell upon the Jews of Rowen, murdering anyone who would not accept Baptism. Hearing of the disaster, Jews in other parts of France tried to flee, but many were caught by the hordes. The Jews of Germany still believed they were safe, under the protection of Henry IV. In less that 3 months, the Crusaders reached Germany. Henry IV ordered Godfrey, along with a large bribe of 500 siver marks, to halt his troops. He did, but he could not stop the mobs, and they fell murderously upon the stunned Jewish communities.
Please explain how the Crusades had different impacts in different places.
In many cities, including Spires, Worms, Mayence and many others, Jewish communities were murdered by the Crusaders.
Spires - around 10 Jews were murdered, and one woman committed suicide rather than fall into the hands of the mob, when they were saved by a נס, through John, the bishop of that area
Worms - many remained in their homes with the promise of protection from their Christian neighbors, and were helpless against the mobs. Almost all Jews accepted death rather than conversion. (For 7 days they were protected by the Bishop. On ר”ח סיון, he told them to convert, as he could no longer protect them. They all killed each other and then themselves על קידוש ד’.
Mayence - helped by the Christians of the area, the Crusaders stormed the hiding places of the Jews. A small group of Jews, led by Kalonymus bar Meshullam, tried to defend themselves but failed.
Approx. 10 000 Jews were murdered, many others beaten, maimed, or exiled. The 1st crusade caused a complete social, military, and economic upheaval, and above all made it clear that Jews were no longer safe. It also opened trade routes to the East, Jews were barred from most professions, and since the Church was no longer involved in money-lending, Jews became the money-lenders. Many used the chaos to kill their Jewish creditors.
In what ways were the 2nd and 3rd Crusades different from the 1st Crusade?
There were more people involved, but less deaths, because:
- they were made up of military forces (mainly noblemen) who were more controllable that peasants
- the Jews and noblemen were more prepared
- they didn’t want to kill all the Jews, because they needed money-lenders, and the ‘infidels’ had to be around to see the triumph of Christianity
What other persecutions existed in this time of history?
Blood libels first started in this period. Also, the Jews were defenseless, inviting attack by both private people and governments
Who were the בעלי תוספות?
They were the חכמים who wrote the תוספות, a פירוש giving extra info on the גמרא, using רש”י as a starting point. Their ישיבות in France attracted students from the Spanish ישיבות, and the merging of the 2 methods raised the level of לימוד התורה to unparalleled heights
