Jewish Life in the Medieval Period
Most Jews lived under Muslim and Christian rule. Under Muslim rule, the Jews were generally free to practice their own religion and to conduct their own courts of law. There were some exceptions to these rules, such as Jews had to pay taxes to Muslim rulers. Overall they established a large middle class.
Most Jews lived under Muslim and Christian rule. Under Muslim rule, the Jews were generally free to practice their own religion and to conduct their own courts of law. There were some exceptions to these rules, such as Jews had to pay taxes to Muslim rulers. Overall they established a large middle class.
The conditions under Christian rule varied considerably over the centuries. Early on in the medieval period, European Jews emerged as successful moneylenders. The Christians resented Jews because of their economic success and the fact that Christians regarded Jews as "sons of the crucifiers" who intentionally rejected Christ. This resentment led to violent persecution of the Jewish people. To escape this, many Jews migrated eastward towards Poland where they were welcomed. In 1648, the Jews were persecuted again in a Cossack rebellion against Poland, resulting in a brutal massacre of the Jewish people.
Jewish Philosophy: Maimonides
Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) is representative of a great number of Jewish philosophers, teachers, and scriptural masters who contributed to the ongoing interpretation of the Torah. Maimonides applied the philosophy of Aristotle to biblical tradition. His most famous book, The Guide for the Perplexed, is one of Judaisms most influential philosophical works. He also contributed to Judaisms thirteen principles that set the backbone of Jewish theology:
Jewish Mysticism, or Kabbalah, teaches that God can be best known with the heart, through love. The most famous text of Jewish mysticism is the Zohar, most likely written in the thirteenth century by Moses de Leon. The Kabbalah does not abandon the basic forms of Jewish practice. Kabbalists observe the commandments, and are renowned for their highly ethical behavior.
Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) is representative of a great number of Jewish philosophers, teachers, and scriptural masters who contributed to the ongoing interpretation of the Torah. Maimonides applied the philosophy of Aristotle to biblical tradition. His most famous book, The Guide for the Perplexed, is one of Judaisms most influential philosophical works. He also contributed to Judaisms thirteen principles that set the backbone of Jewish theology:
- The belief in God's existence
- The belief in His unity
- The belief in His incorporeality
- The belief in His Timelessness
- The belief that He is approachable through prayer
- The belief in prophecy
- The belief in the superiority of Moses to all other prophets
- The belief in the revelation of the Law and that the Law as contained in the Pentateuch is revealed by Moses
- The belief in the immutability of the Law
- The belief in Divine providence
- The belief in Divine justice
- The belief in the coming of the Messiah
- The belief in the resurrection and human immorality
(The Ways of Religion, Pages 261-262)
Jewish Mysticism, or Kabbalah, teaches that God can be best known with the heart, through love. The most famous text of Jewish mysticism is the Zohar, most likely written in the thirteenth century by Moses de Leon. The Kabbalah does not abandon the basic forms of Jewish practice. Kabbalists observe the commandments, and are renowned for their highly ethical behavior.
Labels: History