Medieval Antisemitism (Essential Lectures in Jewish History) Dr. Henry Abramson

Concise lecture on medieval antisemitism, part of the Essential Lectures in Jewish History series by Dr. Henry Abramson. More videos available at www.henryabramson.com.
WARNING: this video contains disturbing imagery.
Breaking the history of antisemitism into four major periods (Ancient Xenophobia, Early Christian Anti-Judaism, Medieval Jew-hatred, and Modern Antisemitism), Dr. Abramson focuses on the third period to look at the ideological basis for the false charges of ritual murder, blood libel, and desecration of the host, ending with a discussion of the Judensau image.
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[@user-pp5ri9dq4y]

very interesting and informative. It's nice that you made these videos for us to watch free!

[@zessazzenessa1345]

Tim Тимофей I agree

[@lower_case_t]

Another very informative lecture, thanks once again. As a German I find the early stages of antisemitism particularly interesting. Because Germany is still a mainly christian country, we are fed a version of history where antisemitism was basically invented by the Nazis. Though it is common knowledge that they simply exploited prejudice and fear that were wide spread long before their time, that's nothing you hear often if you're not digging into the subject. To make things worse, clerics and especially the ex-pope Joseph "Benedict" Ratzinger changed Hitler into an atheist who got his crazy racist ideas from his naturalistic - darwinistic world view. The strong ties between the devout catholic Hitler and both the catholic and protestant church (he actually introduced christian religion classes in the German school system, and non-christians were not allowed in the SS) are simply neglected. As a humanist nonbeliever I'm frequenly challenged by christians, as if my world view had led to the horrible events in the first half of the 20th century. But what really left me speechless just two weeks ago was one guy who, when I tried to point this out to him, answered: "Of course the jews will blame christians, because they hate christ". There we go again.

[@lower_case_t]

***** Whether religion is beneficial or damaging to human ethics surely is a debate as old as religion itself. I personally believe that we are hardwired to respect each others life simply as a result of natural selection - a socialized individual has far better chances to find a mating partner and to feed himself and his family. If someone credits this natural social behavior to a deity and lives accordingly that's fine with me as long as he does not push his views on me. And that's where my problem with religions of all kinds begins: Ideas that have their origin in human brains become divine commands that everyone has to follow, and some of them are terrible ideas including the extinction of 'infidels' and justification of racism and sexism, or the rejection of scientific facts that do not fit into a particular belief. Maybe religion can help to control people who have a defect social behavior like lack of empathy or a violent personality but I doubt it - too often religion is simply used to rationalize antisocial behavior, or such people are not given a proper treatment that could help both them and their victims because they are not considered mentally ill but possessed by demons or satan. The real benefit of religion that I won't dispute is to create communities, as long as these communities do not start to fight and ultimately kill each other. But why shouldn't that be possible without religion, too? I'll close with a quote from another jew whom I deeply admire, Steven Weinberg: 'With or without it (religion) you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.' Have a wonderful weekend!

[@pommel47]

Crocodoc Lastname I think you and Mr.Weinberg may be confusing pure religion with power/politics. I am not religious, so I am not taking sides either way. Peoples who truly practice what they preach(i.e the Amish) usually forsake violence as a group. However people who separate their work-a-day lives from their Sabbath Day lives, do not practice the morals that they are taught in their chosen "temple". They put on their religious face for the short time they engage in social religious gatherings, and then take off that mask for the rest of the week. I think for good people to do evil things it comes down to self-preservation when faced with their own possible annilation for not acting in concert with a prevailing, all powerful, immoral elite. The fact that major religious organizations from the dark ages to this day have been misused for immorale political purposes is something that happens when the righteousness of their elite is replaced by the corruption of power. The perception of oneself attaining absolute power, has created every monster in human history.

[@walterross9057]

Medieval kings of France and England banned Jews from their countries several times. German kings and emperors didn't because they lacked the authority. Germany didn't have a strong central authority so feuds were frequent. English visitors noted that even in the 12th c. when kings already were strong. They didn't know that from England. So it's not surprising that the paranoia associated with Christian perception of Judaism let to violent outbursts. But that happened in other parts of Europe too. The case of the "Judensau" is especially interesting. It's restricted to Central Europe inclusive non German countries. But only in Germany evidence for the "Judensau" was systematically documented after the Holocaust. Even assumed occurences of pictures later destructed were restored. After evaluation of the incidences it was stated that it's more frequent in Germany. No wonder if no other country looked for them that way. That evidence definitely isn't worth anything.

[@FictionCautious]

The education system has been hijacked a long time ago for the purpose of destroying instead of building by those who infiltrated the european leadership a long time ago and whom ravage the world today.

[@jonaha502]

Old comment but im pretty sure hitler hated christianity, even if he may not have admitted it

[@psicologiayalgomas6826]

Excellent class, i really appreciate your clarity and erudition Thank you and greetings from Chile

[@martinlang4479]

Likewise. Very clear and erudite.

[@cedricgist7614]

I broke off reading the Wikipedia article on antisemitism when I got to the Simon of Trent episode, but eventually I finished it. I had to see how you handled this ugly subject. I live in a city named after one of the kings of France who took his turn in expelling Jews from his country - and we call him a saint. It makes one ashamed to call himself a "Christian" when we look at the ugly things Christians have done. It's like we never understood what Jesus teaches....

[@briankelly5828]

Well organised and informative - and very disturbing. When I worked as a university chaplain in England, I knew an older student - an uber-Catholic of the kind I didn't know existed - who married a Polish girl and who genuinely believed well-poisoning stories from rural Poland. After he told me that, I didn't converse much with him.

[@deenalaxgorin7574]

I'm addicted to these lectures!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Me too.

[@Eddiesilence]

Superb work Dr. Abramson. Clear, concise, great exemplfication, beautifully laid out. Thank you. :)

[@jacehardin7828]

Dr.Henry this might be too late for you to see, but you have saved me on a midnight essay, thank you sir.

[@paisleystevens3344]

I'd like to know more about what it may have been like to be a Jew in Scotland. I know, random, but how common might it have been to be afraid to show that you were a Jew, or during the middle ages were there places that Jews would feel safe?

[@CarlosGonzales-wm8xx]

As a christian I thank you for exposing this.

[@brycemcquern2776]

Thanks, Dr. Abramson.

[@2210ethan]

Good video, informative and humorous. Antisemitism needs to be called out wherever it raises its head.

[@zessazzenessa1345]

2210ethan I was shocked......I only giggle that they got away with spreading such weird stuff about people. Today they would get sued.

[@martinlang4479]

I like listening to this man. He is very enlightened.

[@martinlang4479]

Is there an order to your lectures, Doctor? I have been watching them in any old order, which has been great, but maybe I'm missing continuity by not listening in a specific order.

[@siblinganon66]

"Aphrodisiac! I knew I would get it!" TMI!

[@alrichard5202]

You failed to interrupt the middle portrait, a darker person being abused, and lighter persons of color to the right and left,,,,,what a Truth...

[@zuzak4341]

A very good lecture. Have you done a lecture about Jewish persecution during the period of the Crusades?

[@zessazzenessa1345]

Thank you I was looking for that actually. Lol. This was interesting too

[@cabonlux5344]

Man I'm not a Jew and I had tears in eyes!! So sad!! The snake pic broke my heart.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thank you for your compassion. Every individual is worthy of dignity and has value.

[@clarkewi]

Great lectures.

[@GeeMak999]

Very enlightening We said ty

[@tompommerel2136]

Great explanation as ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@moshdee456]

Thank you!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

You're welcome!

[@glennleslie6127]

Thank you for this lecture. I greatly value your teaching and videos. (and I'm a Roman Catholic.)

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

You are very welcome

[@Dadutta]

thanks for all the good work you do, Rabbi !

[@Adi-gh9du]

***** Mr Abramson, why does it antisemitism exist and would you say that islamaphobia is going in the same direction in the sense of blaming the Other.

[@jimfoard5671]

I want to proudly announce to an eagerly waiting world that I am officially number 529 of those who have liked this video. It just sends shivers up my spine to share this important piece of information to one and all. And hello to number 530 when you shall add your like to mine and all the others. And who says I don't lead an exciting, action packed, colorful life?

[@FxckRacism]

Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!”

[@gcfournier3386]

Thank you

[@susanstein6604]

Antisemitism and anti-Judaism are right there in the “New Testament”

[@richfuchs6798]

delicate subject handled well . it is unbelievable what people will believe. in sure your moderator was very busy after this was uploaded

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

You are correct!

[@wandaseaman]

Thought this was about Medieval times!

[@patrickneary8446]

Oh, the crazy things people did with their newfangled printing press(memes were a form of punishment). Were Jewish people banned from owning print shops? Also, were Jewish people blamed when the subject of gold standard monetary systems come up in history? There is a history of scapegoating when economies are going through changes. Thank you for all the videos, Dr. Abramson.

[@shirleydavids3771]

Zzq beft rn Passed. .Zq refumyy nZfswgbh,

[@Joebunkyss1]

exelant lectures....it revisits so accuratley all the facts i have learned incedentaly and ties them into a wonderful tale worthy of posterity....i think.

[@mfk5533]

This was clear, vivid, and a great jumping off point for further research. Thank you, Dr Abramson!

[@FBT9356]

As a golem I enjoy your lectures to better understand your heritage

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Golem?

[@maxmk2275]

Dr. H Abramson . Great video it is always good to learn more about the history. And just one correction Posen is and always was polish town. Yes the germans occupied this place for while.

[@maxmk2275]

You welcome. I have learned so much from watching your videos well done.

[@zessazzenessa1345]

That was extremely disturbing. Propaganda extreme! Informative.

[@TDWUSA]

TYVM ... any vaccines or cures ... this antisemitic mental disease ?

[@user-tz5ss9ip2m]

+TDWUSA Believing that the whole world owes you and must be manipulated by you is also a mental disease.Do you want cure for antisemitism?Just DON'T reproduce the stereotypes.Blame jews like Barbara Spectre,not people that feel offended by this old hag

[@schechter01]

TDWUSA Unfortunately, no. Antisemitism is rarely ever susceptible to education. In order to correct erroneous perceptions you must first be rational & self-aware enough to realize your perception is problematic.

[@FxckRacism]

Holy scripture. These books describe the rise and development of kingship in Israel. Samuel is a pivotal figure. He bridges the gap between the period of the Judges and the monarchy, and guides Israel’s transition to kingship. A Deuteronomistic editor presents both positive and negative traditions about the monarchy, portraying it both as evidence of Israel’s rejection of the Lord as their sovereign and as part of God’s plan to deliver the people.

[@alexcarter8807]

17:35 wow the comic book was invented in the Dark Ages.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I know, right?

[@jaymuzquiz2942]

Can I ask you a question? I'm a very hated that pro-Israeli internet troll. Im not kidding.

[@alexabood2516]

0:43 been saying this

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Ok

[@almarshall1452]

Semitism is actually a "racist" concept and therefore anti-semitism is "anti-racist"... funny how that works. A quick search in encyclopedias reveals that the idea of a 'Semitic people' is a racial term popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, important in establishing the history of these ancient ethnic groups (Source: Wikipedia). The origin of the term "Semitism" in fact comes from the biblical "SHEM" (Hebrew) the name designates one of the three sons of Noah in the Book of Genesis. The term (originating in 1770 by members of the Göttingen School) then makes reference to a culture and race of a "chosen people" that have a closer connection to God than any others. One can suggest that these efforts to elevate (or distinguish) one's own "people" in this way smack of arrogance, elitism, prejudice against other people and gave rise to antisemitism. Antisemitism doesn't then refer to anti-Judaism (in a religious context), or anti-zionism (which would be Israel people or its defenders)... only a would-be racial supremacist ideal of Jewishness. So when you hear "antisemitism" from pundits just ask them what doctrine they actually defend. Harry Ostrer, Jewish Professor of Genetics even demonstrates that "Shem" refers to a Jewish race found in DNA for more info on that you can check the following links: - "Race or Religion? Jewish Genes Identified": newobserveronline.com/race-or-religion-jewish-genes-identified/ - "Legacy: A Genetic History of the Jewish People": forward.com/culture/155742/jews-are-a-race-genes-reveal/ So the simple definition of "anti-semitism" would be "anti-racism" if semitism defends racial dogma, ideals or doctrines - in any way or form. And it's clear some today equate the SHEM gene with "semitism" as a distinct jewish ethnic identity and race even down to DNA levels... So the definition is still being re-written. For further research on the subject (and if you still doubt race is the issue): Shem genealogies (bloodlines) is found in Genesis and those believing these scriptures to be historically accurate profess: Shem is the father of the Semitic race; Japheth is the father of the Japhetic race; Ham is the father of the Hamitic race. The "Book of Jasher", published by Talmudic rabbis in the 17th century also provides further insight as how countries and regions are all divided accoring to "RACE". -"Genealogy of Shem": upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Genealogy_shem.gif -"Geographic identifications for the Sons of Noah (Green=Shem, Red=Japheth, Blue=Ham)": upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Josephustable_3.svg/588px-Josephustable_3.svg.png

[@wandaseaman]

Rabbi, do you know why they used women in these depictions?

[@edwardspence-fo8vt]

Those statues are a misrepresentation of the truth

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thanks for commenting

[@danielsargent5695]

This is a sensationalistic gloss. History contains more serious elements that are on topic to this discussion. There are people watching videos like this to see if there is straitforward treatment of the issues, but this video only irritates the itching questions. Pardon of I offer my criticism too freely. You seem like a smart enough person that I can say what I think. You also have a very good presentation of your material.

[@sephardicshqiptar2699]

The caricatures that you used as examples tell on themselves and the reiterative themes contained in them becoming accepted as truths is sickening. Shalom :)

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

It is a very difficult topic indeed.

[@FxckRacism]

They wouldn't start their historical narrative with holy scripture, wonders why? Isn't it their duty to deliver God's people?

[@leandroreviglio9287]

Jesus was a jew

[@joelm937]

Maybe never existed...

[@zessazzenessa1345]

KatynMermaid 187 and? The priesthood after is the Melchezadach

[@Master_Blackthorne]

All by yourself you figured that out, huh?

[@HabbeningNetNews]

No, he was an Israelite

[@sjappiyah4071]

Habbening Net News Those are not mutually exclusive...

[@FBT9356]

Amazing that we Catholics believe in a Christ who was a devout Jew our Founder

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Strange but true, I guess.

[@mynameisnotimportant845]

He was not a devout Jew. You were taught incorrectly

[@watermelonman7627]

Anti semetism doesn't exist without reason

[@fightfannerd2078]

Conical hats is a fashion of central asia khazars looked & dressed like that hmm red hair?

[@opirbrain9225]

I’m afghan born Unknow aryan or Jewish incestory And I’m Pakistan born in EU I’m 19 I am not aware why scape goat only them if it’s not legit

[@opirbrain9225]

I m confuse if I’m Jew or aryan