How the West Became Antisemitic: Jews and the Formation of Europe, 800-1500
By Ivan G. Marcus
Princeton University Press
ISBN: 978-0-691-25820-1
Exploring the tense and evolving rivalry between Christians and Jews in medieval Europe, this examination reveals how religious confrontations transformed into a deep-seated anti-Semitic ideology. What began as theological disputes increasingly took on racial overtones, laying the groundwork for a form of hatred that would persist and evolve into the modern era.
Excerpt:
Contrary to the widely accepted picture of Jewish history, medieval Jews were assertive agents. The Jews of the Middle Ages were convinced of their chosenness, and Christian rulers inadvertently reinforced Jewish solidarity by recognizing Jews as legal, self-governing communities, not just as individuals, if only to tax them better. The Jewish-Christian confrontation was grounded in a deep structural clash between two related religious cultures, each of which thought itself chosen and the other excluded from divine favor. Given the different power dynamics, this meant that force would be a Christian option, but the Jews had resources as well, even if limited and often ineffective. Jews were assertive, not passive, even without having the option of coercive force. Acts of Jewish assertiveness directed against Christianity, in turn, increased Christian authorities’ anti-Jewish views and policies. Christians reasserted their claims to divine election and tried to subject the Jews to servitude unless they converted. One effect of this confrontation between two chosen cultures was to make Christian Europe antisemitic in new ways.
Who is this book for?
The idea in this book, that “Jews were not passive victims of the Christian community,” will be surprising to some readers. However, challenging old (and simple) ideas about our past is something that historians should do. This is a book that many (if not most) historians of Europe in general should read, as well as those interested in Jewish history or inter-religious relations.
“Marcus’s impeccably detailed account begins in the early ninth century, when Emperor Charlemagne encouraged the migration of Jews to his empire for economic reasons. For the next several centuries, Marcus claims, Jews and Christians lived alongside each other with only occasional hostilities. Gradually, Europe began to villainize Jews, giving rise to a range of anti-Christian actions. This reflects a dispute over divine chosenness, which both Jews and Christians claimed exclusively.” ~ review in the Jewish Book Council
How the West Became Antisemitic: Jews and the Formation of Europe, 800-1500
By Ivan G. Marcus
Princeton University Press
ISBN: 978-0-691-25820-1
Exploring the tense and evolving rivalry between Christians and Jews in medieval Europe, this examination reveals how religious confrontations transformed into a deep-seated anti-Semitic ideology. What began as theological disputes increasingly took on racial overtones, laying the groundwork for a form of hatred that would persist and evolve into the modern era.
Excerpt:
Contrary to the widely accepted picture of Jewish history, medieval Jews were assertive agents. The Jews of the Middle Ages were convinced of their chosenness, and Christian rulers inadvertently reinforced Jewish solidarity by recognizing Jews as legal, self-governing communities, not just as individuals, if only to tax them better. The Jewish-Christian confrontation was grounded in a deep structural clash between two related religious cultures, each of which thought itself chosen and the other excluded from divine favor. Given the different power dynamics, this meant that force would be a Christian option, but the Jews had resources as well, even if limited and often ineffective. Jews were assertive, not passive, even without having the option of coercive force. Acts of Jewish assertiveness directed against Christianity, in turn, increased Christian authorities’ anti-Jewish views and policies. Christians reasserted their claims to divine election and tried to subject the Jews to servitude unless they converted. One effect of this confrontation between two chosen cultures was to make Christian Europe antisemitic in new ways.
Who is this book for?
The idea in this book, that “Jews were not passive victims of the Christian community,” will be surprising to some readers. However, challenging old (and simple) ideas about our past is something that historians should do. This is a book that many (if not most) historians of Europe in general should read, as well as those interested in Jewish history or inter-religious relations.
“Marcus’s impeccably detailed account begins in the early ninth century, when Emperor Charlemagne encouraged the migration of Jews to his empire for economic reasons. For the next several centuries, Marcus claims, Jews and Christians lived alongside each other with only occasional hostilities. Gradually, Europe began to villainize Jews, giving rise to a range of anti-Christian actions. This reflects a dispute over divine chosenness, which both Jews and Christians claimed exclusively.” ~ review in the Jewish Book Council
See also this interview with Ivan G. Marcus from Yale News
The Author
Ivan Marcus is a Professor of Jewish History at Yale University and has written extensively about the medieval Jewish experience.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website.
You can buy this book on Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
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