Language:
German
Year of publication:
1995
Titel der Quelle:
Zeitschrift für Historische Forschung
Angaben zur Quelle:
22,1 (1995) 1-48
Keywords:
Antisemitism History Middle Ages, 500-1500
;
Antisemitism History 1500-
;
Jews Persecutions
;
History
;
Tolls
Abstract:
The dice toll was exacted from Jews at regular toll stations and seems to have been a kind of tip for the tollkeepers. Even when it was officially abandoned, ruffians would stop Jews on the road and demand dice; if they did not have any, they were beaten. Enumerates other customs meant to demean Jews, such as throwing stones, striking them with sticks, or making them run naked through the streets during carnival or Holy Week; the exaction of special gifts; forcing Jews to clean streets and stables; forbidding them to touch food in the markets; the "Jewish oath" taken while standing barefoot on the bloody skin of a sow; and the "Jewish execution" head downwards on the gallows between two dogs. Gives examples from the Middle Ages and the early modern period from all over Europe. Suggests possible origins for some of these customs in the Passion story and folk legends that embroidered it, or in the adaptation of Jewish customs, or simply in the desire to propagate revulsion toward Jews. The dice toll, for instance, may be linked to the soldiers who threw dice for Jesus' clothes; to the Chanukah dreidl, which was believed to have magical properties; or to the Church's condemnation of dice games which were said to have been invented by Satan.
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