Language:
English
Year of publication:
1997
Titel der Quelle:
Journal of Medieval History
Angaben zur Quelle:
23,2 (1997) 117-138
Keywords:
Martyrdom Judaism
;
Christianity and other religions Judaism To 1500
;
History
;
Jews History Middle Ages, 500-1500
;
Jews History Middle Ages, 500-1500
;
Conversion History
;
Jews History Middle Ages, 500-1500
Abstract:
Between 1100-1350, dying by Kiddush Hashem - taking one's own life for the sanctification of God's name rather than accepting forced conversion to Christianity - became part of the Ashkenazic self-image although not part of Torah law. The First Crusade (1096) confronted whole communities of Jews with the choice of conversion or death. Jews memorialized such events in chronicles, to serve not only as historical accounts but as "educational texts" intended to guide people to accept death by Kiddush Hashem when faced with similar circumstances in the future. Describes the means by which this ideal was inculcated in Ashkenazic Jews. In the first half of the 12th century Jewish writers recommended death by Kiddush Hashem as appropriate behavior when faced with forced conversion. In the second half of the century it was depicted as mandatory, normative behavior, even against a considerable body of rabbinic opinion.
DOI:
10.1016/S0304-4181(97)00002-X
URL:
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