Language:
German
Year of publication:
2005
Titel der Quelle:
PaRDeS; Zeitschrift der Vereinigung für Jüdische Studien
Angaben zur Quelle:
8 (2004) 3-13
Keywords:
Wagenseil, Johann Christoph,
;
Christianity and other religions Judaism 1500-1800
;
History
;
Philosemitism History
Abstract:
Wagenseil (1633-1705) was professor of Oriental languages at the University of Altdorf, specializing in the Talmud and other rabbinic writings. The contents of the Talmud were then almost unknown to Christians. For other Christian Hebraists, Hebrew was merely an aid in the study of Christian theology; still others turned to esoteric kabbalistic works. Wagenseil visited and corresponded with Jewish communities all over Europe and published translations of Hebrew texts to familiarize the public with Jewish life and scholarship. He wrote works refuting the blood libel and proposed changes in customs and official procedures (such as the "Jewish oath") that would be less humiliating for Jews. But his collection of Jewish writings which scurrilously attacked Christianity (among them "Toledot Yeshu"), and his interest toward the end of his life in the millenarian doctrine of the conversion of the Jews, have caused some to doubt his philosemitism.
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