Language:
English
Year of publication:
2000
Titel der Quelle:
Exemplaria; a Journal of Theory in Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
12,1 (2000) 105-127
Keywords:
Ephraim ben Jacob,
;
Jewish women History Middle Ages, 500-1500
;
Jewish martyrs History To 1500
;
Piyyutim History and criticism
;
Martyrdom Judaism
Abstract:
Medieval Jewish literature (both prose and the more extensive poetic martyrological laments) reveals a shift in the representation of female martyrs. In the 11th century they were described as active, even egalitarian, models of sacrifice and self-sacrifice. The shift that occurred parallels a historical shift by the end of the 12th century from spontaneous (often Crusader) violence that often ended in the death of Jews to anti-Jewish legislation and ecclesiastical and social policies that led to potential or actual conversion. Jewish prose and poetry then reveal a trend to increasingly depict Jewish women (when they are depicted at all) as vulnerable to religious and physical defilement (baptism and rape). Thus, Jewish women who cross the borders of the Jewish community are seen as bringing danger upon themselves and other Jews. On the part of the Jewish male authors, this reveals a new distrust of their women's ability to resist Christian pressures, both physical and religious.
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