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[THREAD: DÉJÀ VU]
1/20
When Constantine called the Council of Nicea, Europe went from Roman to Christianity practically overnight. Interestingly, it never really got a chance to try out Judaism, a system that had been around for centuries by the time Christ went mainstream.
1/20
When Constantine called the Council of Nicea, Europe went from Roman to Christianity practically overnight. Interestingly, it never really got a chance to try out Judaism, a system that had been around for centuries by the time Christ went mainstream.
2/20
That said, since Jesus himself was a Jew, the official Church position always remained to protect the Jews and treat them with respect.
Official.
In the society though, things were slightly iffy and Jews alien. Nevertheless, violent antisemitism wasn't common back then.
That said, since Jesus himself was a Jew, the official Church position always remained to protect the Jews and treat them with respect.
Official.
In the society though, things were slightly iffy and Jews alien. Nevertheless, violent antisemitism wasn't common back then.
3/20
Black Death changed that.
In April 1348, the Jewish quarter of Toulon, Provence, was sacked killing about 40 Jews in their homes. This can in many ways be called the inauguration of organized mainstream antisemitism in Europe.
Black Death changed that.
In April 1348, the Jewish quarter of Toulon, Provence, was sacked killing about 40 Jews in their homes. This can in many ways be called the inauguration of organized mainstream antisemitism in Europe.
4/20
To understand why, one needs to appreciate the squalid living conditions in much of Medieval Europe that lent the Plague a smoother run that otherwise possible. Let's just say, Europeans were not very hygienic, and their waste-management was in the pits.
To understand why, one needs to appreciate the squalid living conditions in much of Medieval Europe that lent the Plague a smoother run that otherwise possible. Let's just say, Europeans were not very hygienic, and their waste-management was in the pits.
5/20
The Jews, on the other hand, practiced a higher standard of hygiene and confined themselves to their own quarters. They even avoided public wells for their water needs. This came with obvious dividends in the form of relative immunity from the plague.
The Jews, on the other hand, practiced a higher standard of hygiene and confined themselves to their own quarters. They even avoided public wells for their water needs. This came with obvious dividends in the form of relative immunity from the plague.
6/20
The Jews were lucky indeed that the Plague largely spared them. Paradoxically, they were also unlucky for the very same reason. As Europeans dropped dead and bodies piled up, Jews carried on unaffected. This was noted. And in the Middle Ages, this didn't auger well.
The Jews were lucky indeed that the Plague largely spared them. Paradoxically, they were also unlucky for the very same reason. As Europeans dropped dead and bodies piled up, Jews carried on unaffected. This was noted. And in the Middle Ages, this didn't auger well.
7/20
Rumors emerged that the plagues were created and spread by the Jews. Created with black magic and spread by spitting in community wells. Rings a bell?
These rumors spread faster than the Plague itself and soon enough, Jews were being witch-hunted.
Rumors emerged that the plagues were created and spread by the Jews. Created with black magic and spread by spitting in community wells. Rings a bell?
These rumors spread faster than the Plague itself and soon enough, Jews were being witch-hunted.
8/20
The April 1348 sacking at Toulon was first major manifestation of this wave. By 1349, Europe was in the grip of extreme antisemitism with Jewish communities being wiped out by the dozens. On Valentine's Day, 1349, for instance, 2,000 were burned alive in Strasbourg.
The April 1348 sacking at Toulon was first major manifestation of this wave. By 1349, Europe was in the grip of extreme antisemitism with Jewish communities being wiped out by the dozens. On Valentine's Day, 1349, for instance, 2,000 were burned alive in Strasbourg.
9/20
This was 2 centuries before the Dancing Plague of Strasbourg and 6 centuries the better known Valentine's Day Massacre of Chicago. The wave didn't abate here. That very spring, all 3,000 Jews of Mainz were massacred in a single day. This, of course, included children.
This was 2 centuries before the Dancing Plague of Strasbourg and 6 centuries the better known Valentine's Day Massacre of Chicago. The wave didn't abate here. That very spring, all 3,000 Jews of Mainz were massacred in a single day. This, of course, included children.
10/20
At Speyer, wine casks containing Jewish corpses were cast into the Rhine. A single day in 1351 saw the annihilation of the entire Jewish population in Belgium in what came to be known as the Brussels Massacre. Around that time, the Plague had started to wane.
At Speyer, wine casks containing Jewish corpses were cast into the Rhine. A single day in 1351 saw the annihilation of the entire Jewish population in Belgium in what came to be known as the Brussels Massacre. Around that time, the Plague had started to wane.
11/20
But although the bubonic plague abated, the other kind never really did. The plague of antisemitism continued well into the 20th century climaxing with the Nazi holocaust that saw 6 million killed. Fortunately, Europe is a much better place today.
But although the bubonic plague abated, the other kind never really did. The plague of antisemitism continued well into the 20th century climaxing with the Nazi holocaust that saw 6 million killed. Fortunately, Europe is a much better place today.
12/20
Sure, antisemitic sentiments go way back, even before the Black Death. Jews have traditionally been merchants and bankers and their affluence had traditionally been a source of scorn and envy. Their ruthlessness in money matters didn't help their image much either.
Sure, antisemitic sentiments go way back, even before the Black Death. Jews have traditionally been merchants and bankers and their affluence had traditionally been a source of scorn and envy. Their ruthlessness in money matters didn't help their image much either.
13/20
But none of that really translated into violent reprisals of any kind. That only came with the Plague. Jews have cleanliness and hygiene baked into their routine via the myriad unforgiving scriptural fiats enforced since the time of Moses.
But none of that really translated into violent reprisals of any kind. That only came with the Plague. Jews have cleanliness and hygiene baked into their routine via the myriad unforgiving scriptural fiats enforced since the time of Moses.
14/20
For instance, a Jew must wash his hands before breaking bread and after using the bathroom. He must also bathe leastwise once a week, before the Sabbath. A corpse couldn't be taken to burial without having been bathed first. There were many more similar mandates.
For instance, a Jew must wash his hands before breaking bread and after using the bathroom. He must also bathe leastwise once a week, before the Sabbath. A corpse couldn't be taken to burial without having been bathed first. There were many more similar mandates.
15/20
These practices may seem underwhelming today, but in Medieval Europe, they were almost an OCD! We're talking about times when men defecate in the open and bathed once in months, if at all. Add to this the Jewish idea of social distancing.
These practices may seem underwhelming today, but in Medieval Europe, they were almost an OCD! We're talking about times when men defecate in the open and bathed once in months, if at all. Add to this the Jewish idea of social distancing.
16/20
Yes, the Jews had traditionally lived in quarters and ghettos with little social interaction with the outside world. Better hygiene with better isolation meant they experienced significantly fewer infections than their Christian compatriots.
Yes, the Jews had traditionally lived in quarters and ghettos with little social interaction with the outside world. Better hygiene with better isolation meant they experienced significantly fewer infections than their Christian compatriots.
17/20
And that's what doomed them. From esoteric accusations of witchcraft to more plausible spitting-in-the-well, Christians were convinced Jews were behind the Plague. So convinced even 2 papal bulls failed to change their mind.
And that's what doomed them. From esoteric accusations of witchcraft to more plausible spitting-in-the-well, Christians were convinced Jews were behind the Plague. So convinced even 2 papal bulls failed to change their mind.
18/20
So here's what happened: Driven by jealousy and insecurity, a bunch of mischievous Christians found an easy scapegoat in the Jewish community when the Plague struck, floated a credible-sounding series of fake news, and stirred up the masses.
So here's what happened: Driven by jealousy and insecurity, a bunch of mischievous Christians found an easy scapegoat in the Jewish community when the Plague struck, floated a credible-sounding series of fake news, and stirred up the masses.
19/20
Result? A wave of antisemitism that left millions dead and lasted at least 600 years longer than the Plague itself.
All this, before there was any social media or its speed of communication.
Result? A wave of antisemitism that left millions dead and lasted at least 600 years longer than the Plague itself.
All this, before there was any social media or its speed of communication.
20/20
Today, as we battle another outbreak, we also have a rerun of the same xenophobia on our hands. Except it's the Muslims this time. Everything else remains the same. Government apathy, fake news, systematic demonization...déjà vu.
Today, as we battle another outbreak, we also have a rerun of the same xenophobia on our hands. Except it's the Muslims this time. Everything else remains the same. Government apathy, fake news, systematic demonization...déjà vu.
