Language:
English
Year of publication:
2014
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish Quarterly
Angaben zur Quelle:
61,3-4 (2014) 18-23
Keywords:
Antisemitism History Middle Ages, 500-1500
;
Christianity and other religions Judaism
;
Synagoga (Christian art)
Abstract:
Some medieval cathedrals, especially in 13th century France and Germany, were adorned with two monumental carvings of opposing female figures: Ecclesia and Synagoga. Synagoga (representing Judaism) is usually presented as blindfolded, or blind and crippled. Suggests that this image not only symbolizes the "blindness" of Judaism. Contends that the image of "the blind and crippled Jew" is connected to the age-old Jewish practice of fattening geese for the production of foie gras - fattened goose liver, going back even to ancient times. Refers to the Jewish Bible commentator Rashi as a source for the context within which the Synagoga's two principle characteristics make sense. States that in the mentality of the Christian upper classes, the cultivation of foie gras and the mutilation of geese for this purpose was intimately associated with Jews. Thus, the mistreatment of animals was seen as one of the Jewish misdeeds, along with ritual murder, poisoning of wells, etc.
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