Language:
English
Year of publication:
1994
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish Social Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
N.S. 1,1 (1994) 52-72
Keywords:
Hilsner, Leopold,
;
Blood accusation
;
Jews
;
Antisemitism
;
Antisemitism History Middle Ages, 500-1500
;
Antisemitism History 1500-
Abstract:
Compares accounts of the ritual murder accusation against Leopold Hilsner in Polna, Bohemia, in 1899 (e.g. in the Czech Catholic daily "Katolicke Listy, " the booklet by Gustav Touzil "Polna, 29 March 1899, " and the official writ of indictment against Hilsner) with medieval narratives on ritual murder cases (e.g. by Thomas of Monmouth on William of Norwich; by Matthew Paris on Hugh of Lincoln; by Tiberino on Simon of Trent). The medieval accounts speak overtly of ritual murder and attribute religious symbolism and motivation to it; the scene of the murder replicates the crucifixion of Jesus; there is a motif of vengeance against Christians; the very murder is presented as a psychological act. Contrary to this, the Polna narratives lack religious symbolism; they present the affair in a factual and quasi-detective form, only hinting at religious motivation, and speak essentially about "natural" barbarism and the monstrosity of a Jew who can commit such a cruel and senseless crime.
Note:
Focusing on the case of Leopold Hilsner - the blood libel in Polná, Czechoslovakia, in 1899.
URL:
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