pesahson
29-Aug-2011, 16:08
R. Po-chia Hsia Trent 1475: Stories of a Ritual Murder Trial (1992, Yale University Press)
Blood libel is a false accusation that Jews kill Christian children to make matzot using their blood. It has been in the repertoire of antisemites for nine centuries now. These accusations have led to trials, violence, sometimes to pogroms. In his book, professor R. Po-chia Hsia examines the trial that followed the blood libel accusations in 1475 in Trent, Italy. His main source of information was the Yeshiva Manuscript, a trial record made by Trent authorities.
The story of these accusations was generally very similar. In the case of Trent, a two year old boy, Simon, was found dead around Easter. In effect, members of three Jewish families were imprisoned and tortured, until they did what was expected of them, mainly „confessed” to kidnapping and killing Simon. Even though the Pope at the time was suspicious of the trials credibility, Simon was later cononized and remained a saint until 1965.
That particular story is just one of many that happened over centuries, but is one of the most well documented.
This book is a quick read. One or two evenings will suffice. But it’s a great addition to anyone intersted in Jewish studies of history of antisemitism.
Blood libel is a false accusation that Jews kill Christian children to make matzot using their blood. It has been in the repertoire of antisemites for nine centuries now. These accusations have led to trials, violence, sometimes to pogroms. In his book, professor R. Po-chia Hsia examines the trial that followed the blood libel accusations in 1475 in Trent, Italy. His main source of information was the Yeshiva Manuscript, a trial record made by Trent authorities.
The story of these accusations was generally very similar. In the case of Trent, a two year old boy, Simon, was found dead around Easter. In effect, members of three Jewish families were imprisoned and tortured, until they did what was expected of them, mainly „confessed” to kidnapping and killing Simon. Even though the Pope at the time was suspicious of the trials credibility, Simon was later cononized and remained a saint until 1965.
That particular story is just one of many that happened over centuries, but is one of the most well documented.
This book is a quick read. One or two evenings will suffice. But it’s a great addition to anyone intersted in Jewish studies of history of antisemitism.