Language:
English
Year of publication:
2005
Titel der Quelle:
Studies in Jewish Civilization
Angaben zur Quelle:
15 (2005) 215-234
Keywords:
Jews Food
;
Jews Food
;
Jews History 1500-1800
;
Jews History 1500-1800
;
Jewish cooking
;
Garlic
;
Christianity and antisemitism History 1500-1800
;
Antisemitism History 1500-1800
Abstract:
Traces the long history of Jewish garlic consumption, noting how this and other aspects of the Jewish diet tended to create or reinforce social boundaries with other groups. In Europe, Christians were put off by the smell of this Jewish food, which they associated with the "smelly" Jews. They also viewed the Jews' eating of garlic as an intentionally anti-Christian act. While originally it was believed that Jews could not rid themselves of this stench, it was later accepted that baptism could do the trick. Later, in the 17th century, assimilated Jews (e.g. in Germany) changed their diet in order to pass. However, antisemites still claimed that they could smell a Jew, including a converted Jew like Heine. Views the Jews' eating of garlic as a type of resistance to the dominant Christians' attempt to exert their power over various aspects of Jewish life.
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