THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH WITH THE JEWS. co……….

      After 410 A.D. the effete Roman Empire collapsed in its civil, military and moral life, life, aided by the onslaughts of Alaric, the Visigothic leader; from that point onwards the Roman Catholic church became the dominant power throughout the old Empire, endorsed , of course, by Constantine 1 and his successors . The church, the cloistered communities, the great landowners, the ruling princes, and their underlings took control of religious and much social life. Roman law, which had given the Jews a “place in society” was gradually replaced by local feudal and ecclesiastical law, and the “Jew” was deprived of his “rights”, and so became dependent on the variable and unreliable favours of his “protectors”. Differing local and national law codes replaced the Theodosian code in the west, while in the east the laws of Justinian continued to be in general use. Laws, too numerous to mention, controlled all Jewish economic and social activity,e.g.- loans needed to be registered, a licence was needed to engage in trade, on marriage a payment was exacted, and so too for a change of residence, burial of the dead, or employment of a servant.

   Charters of Settlement were granted to Jewish communities by the ruling authorities or princes, the most well-known being the Pale in Russian and Polish lands. The attitude of such rulers could change overnight from one of acceptance to rejection and expulsion. For the privilege of being granted a right of settlement an annual rent was exacted from the Jewish community . That community then became the “property” of the ruler,-eg. Edward 1 in England had ownership of some Jewish communities.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH WITH THE JEWS.

    PAPAL BULLS, EDICTS AND LAWS.

    The bulls were intended to ensure some legal recognition of the rights of the Jews, but in reality their provisions were often evaded by mob aggression , aided and abetted by some local clergy. The bulls were pronounced by Gregory 1 (590 –604), later by Alexander 111 (1159-81),and renewed by 23 subsequent Popes. By such ordinances Christian leaders were not permitted to enforce baptism upon Jews, kill, injure or rob  them. They were not allowed to alter their traditional religious laws, disturb their feasts and rituals, exact military service from them, while giving a few other protections of Jewish social life.

Throughout Europe laws and ordinances did have the effect of regulating much Jewish social, cultural,economic, legal and domestic life. The same laws were also intended to protect Christians from a silent religious contamination by a close association with Jews in their midst.

   The Jew’s status became that of a rejected, degraded and servile people, but whose lawful rights under the Theodosian code were theoretically respected in the hope of their eventual spiritual salvation at the end of the age.  No rights were allowed other than those permitted by laws enacted by the church authorities.

 

       TO  BE  CONTINUED …

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY TOWARDS THE JEWS…contd…

This basic division between the ancient church and Judaism grew throughout the 2nd. century over the opposed responses to the rabbinic oral laws and the significance of the Levitical  ceremonial rules and ordinances on the one hand, and the new, spiritual life offered to all believers in Jesus as the Messiah or Christ. The stumbling blocks for the Jews were the setting –aside of their oral laws and the revelation that in their midst had appeared the Anointed One of God, Who was the suffering, obedient Servant of God, who vicariously suffered, died, was raised to life, and was exalted to the highest place in the heavens at the right hand of God. These foundational truths for the Christian created an unfathomable gulf between the church and Judaism, which became increasingly subservient in “Christianised “ Europe.

   After the accession of Constantine in 306 A.D. conversion to Judaism became a “crime”; before that time Jews were treated as “ disbelievers” in the Roman gods and unworthy of Roman legal protection. They had been expelled from Rome much earlier by Tiberius and Claudius.

   The young church had the spiritual insight to realize that Judaism was ineffectual in the salvation of men and women because it was powerless to completely set free its people from the burden of guilt for past sins, or to confer an ability not to sin in the present. Judaism’s rituals and customs were seen to be only types or shadows of spiritual realities which faith in Jesus Christ could apprehend . Judaism’s rabbinic rules and rituals were seen to be superseded by saving faith, which itself was the gift of God.

   After the 4th. century the teaching of the church implied that the Jews, as a people, had been rejected by God , that its people had been placed under a curse and a divine punishment for their role in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A racial hostility began to appear , in which it was considered justified to oppress and despise the Jewish people. Yet they were afforded some limited protections in order that the Jewish race could endure as a “witness people “ to the truth of the scriptures and the origins of the church.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY TOWARDS THE JEWS…PROTECTION AND PREJUDICE.

e    The continued existence of  the  Jewish people was thought to serve as a witness, a perpetual evidence of God’s curse upon unbelief , and of the truth of the scriptures. The attitude of society in general was that the Jews were to remain as continual wanderers among the nations because of their rejection of the Messiah. The premise supposed that the Jews live under “servtus perpetua”, a curse shown then in the destruction of the temple, their dispersion or enslavement under Roman society and by later authorities, and the final catastrophe of the Bar –Kokhba revolt of 135 A.D. This perpetual servitude and condemnation will remain until the end of the age . To preserve the “witness people” the Jews were to be protected by the civil and religious powers, even as they were kept in bondage.(A teaching held by Tertullian, Augustine and Jerome.)

    The church was thought to have “replaced” Israel in God’s dealings, and was thought to be the “new Israel”. The Jewish loss was the result of their rejection of their Messiah; consequently God had “rejected “ them as the “people of God” during this present age.( according to Augustine, Ignatius  and others.) The Jews were thought to be eternally and uniquely guilty of deicide, the crucifixion of the Son of God, according to Origen, Chrysostom and others.

   Yet the church owes a debt to the Jews, who wrote and preserved the Old Testament  writings, though they themselves are almost always blind to its inner spiritual truths. But they have acted as the “librarian “ for the church by treasuring the scriptures.

      The separation of the early church and Judaism occurred around 100 A.D., and more markedly after the rebellion in 135 A.D.,which Christians of Jewish origin did not support.  Before that time Jews viewed Christians as a disruptive sect within Judaism, and issued a curse against them,- the “Birkath-ha-Minim”,- a curse of the heretics. This was added to the 18 Benedictions by Samuel the Small, but it remained known only to a few academics and rabbis.

     This time was known the rabbis as the “ Yavneh period “ during which an intense examination of the Torah and all Jewish practices was undertaken in order to preserve Jewish identity. Total separation of Jews and Christians took place after 135 A.D., when the Jews were expelled from Jerusalem, a Gentile Christian bishop was installed in the “Roman city “ ( re-named  Aelia Capitolina.,- to commemorate the victory of the Roman “deities” over the invisible Yahweh of Jerusalem), and when Jews were alleged to have been engaged in the persecution of some of the first Christian martyrs,-e.g.- Polycarp in 150, and Pionius in 250 AD. ( See a later note on the martyrdoms of Christians during the Roman era.)

Medieval laws and edicts controlling the Jews.. some possible excuses…

   These laws and church council edicts referred to above –( described in “The Conflict of the Church and the Synagogue”,-by J.Parkes;pp379-391 (Soncino Press, 1934),of which these are only a small selection) were probably inspired by a remembrance of past hostility by the Jews towards the emerging church, which the Jews viewed as an heretical sect.-eg. see Acts,ch.14,v.5.; ch.22,v.22ff. The severe and ungracious treatment of the Jews by these ancient authors may also have arisen because of their fear of a reversion by young converts towards legalism and Jewish religious customs. The most potent seed of church hostility was the obsession that the Jews were solely responsible for the crucifixion of the Lord of the church,- Jesus Christ.

     Any modern criticism of these ancient church writers must be tempered and considered alongside the truth that these same men were the foundational authors of most Christian doctrines, expositors of all the scriptures and the interpretations flowing from them, and the leaders who codified Christian theology in the church councils. A few outstanding names and doctrines may be mentioned, because such detail is beyond the competence of the writer of this blog note.-

    Tertullian and Justin Martyr… the doctrine of the Trinity.

     Athanasius, Justin Martyr, Origen and Augustine…the Person of Christ, the incarnate God.

    Augustine…the doctrine of man and original sin.

   Anselm…. the doctrine of the atonement, by Christ’s satisfaction for the sin of man.

    Luther.. the doctrine of justification by faith by faith alone.

    Calvin… the doctrine of the authority of scripture, and Christ’s substitutionary  and sacrificial death.

  The church councils formulated  most of our Christian doctrines;-

NICEA- 325…Jesus Christ has the same nature as God the Father.

CONSTANTINOPLE .-382…the full human nature of Christ.

EPHESUS- 428…the unity of the human and divine natures in Christ.

CHALCEDON-451…the Christ is “complete as to His Godhead and complete as to His manhood.”

 

    As most Christians realise, since the early medieval period one large part of the body of the church has adulterated the original doctrines with non-Biblical teachings and church traditions, such as the cult of Mary, the invocation of Mary, saints and angels, prayers for the dead, salvation by means of the sacraments, rather than by faith in the value of Christ’s death ,etc. This mixture or adultery of teachings has some resonance with “babel” ( confusion, cf. “The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English,” by Fowler, (Oxford, 1934,)p.77.)

Medieval laws and edicts…contd..

 

   A  SURVEY OF SOME OF THE MORE SEVERE LAWS,-

    THE  BREVIARY OF ALARCIC 11 ( the Visigoth),i.e. a church’s summary,etc.  

    Intermarriage between Jews and Christians was treated as adultery. Jews were not allowed to build new synagogues; if some were built, they were to be handed over to the Catholic authorities, Jews were not allowed to set their own market prices. If a Christian slave was circumcised, the Jewish owner was to be executed, and the slave set free.

THE LAWS OF CHARLEMAGNE,- 814. – A  SELECTION ONLY.

A Jew was allowed to “have money in the house”, or to sell wine, corn or other produce. If a Jew was engaged in a case against a Christian he had to submit to trial by ordeal, either by swearing upon a reliquary, or by holding a red hot iron. If a Jew was convicted of an offence against a Christian he had to be condemned to drowning in a sack.

THE  LAWS OF  ARCADIUS,-397.

    Jews may not become Christians for economic reasons; they are to adopt Roman laws, except for religious cases. Their synagogues are to be protected.

A  LAW OF THEODOSIUS ,11 – DATED  415.

   The Jewish Patriarch  in Jerusalem was abolished.

LAWS OF THE VISIGOTHS,- EXAMPLES ..-

  Christian teachings are not to be criticised; Jewish feasts are not to be observed; a prohibition of circumcision,food distinctions, or of legal action against Christians; law-breakers to be stoned to death or enslaved.( By decree of Recceswinth,652)

  All Jews must submit to baptism, and their books and teachings to be suppressed.(By decree of Erwig,680.)

COUNCIL DECISIONS OF THE VISIGOTHS.

    Unconverted Jews are not allowed to trade, and Jews must surrender property gained from Christians ( at Toledo xv1 in 693)

Because the Jews were accused of a plot against Spanish security by an alliance with a king in N.Africa, all Jewish property was confiscated, and all Jews except those of Septimania, were reduced to slavery; all Jewish rites and practices were banned, and all Jewish children over 7 years of age were to be reared as Christians. ( By order of the council in Toledo XV11, –694.)

THE  CANONS OF CARTHAGE.

   Jews, heathens and heretics are allowed access to parts of Christian worship services; but Jewish practices are to be suppressed. Jews are not allowed to give evidence in court.

   MANY  OTHER COUNCILS ( e.g. Chalcedon, Trullanum, Nicea) promulgated a variety of restrictions, but some rights were granted to Jews.

  END OF THE SURVEY OF SOME MEDIEVAL LAWS AND EDICTS.

Medieval laws and edicts…contd…

   CODEX  THEODOSIANUS… 438 A.D.

      This has four main areas of law:   Judaism was recognised, injustice or violence against Jews was prohibited, anti-Christian practices by Jews were prohibited, and various restrictions were applied to the Jewish religion, viz : conversion to Judaism was forbidden, converts to Judaism were made intestate, proselytising by Jews was made a criminal act, the circumcision of slaves of Jewish owners was forbidden on pain of death, a later law forbade a Jew buying a Christian slave, the building and care of synagogues and the repair was made the subject of control, Jews were excluded from service in the army, civil administration and the law, marriages to Jews were treated as adulterous and therefore forbidden, Jews were not allowed asylum in any church, Jewish tribunals were allowed to make decisions only for religious disputes and not for civil matters.

     Generally, Judaism was referred to as a superstition, or a wicked sect.

   SOURCE: CODEX  THEODOSIANUS, ed,. J. GOTHOFREDUS; LEIPZIG. WEIDMANN, 1736.

 

     THE  JUSTINIAN  CODE ( 483-565 A.D.)

          Jewish property rights and the right of entry to public offices were again severely limited, and Jews were not allowed to testify against Christians .  By the Novella 146 (dated 553), the scriptures used in the synagogues were to be read in Greek, Latin or the vernacular,- not in Hebrew. The Mishnah was forbidden to be used. Those Jews who disbelieved in the resurrection, angels, or the last judgement were to be put to death !

        SOURCE : PANDECTAE  JUSTINIANEAE, ed.  R.J. POTHIER, ( PARIS: BELIN-LEPRIEUR , 1818.)

       TO BE CONTINUED….

Medieval laws and Edicts…the Jews under bondage and protection.

     RULES AND PROHIBIITIONS ENACTED AGAINST THE JEWS BY EARLY CHURCH COUNCILS.,…THE SUBJECTS AND THE PLACES  AND  DATES.

Mixed marriages forbidden ….ELVIRA-306; ORLEANS –533; CLERMONT –535; TOLEDO-589 & 633; ROME-743; SZABOLIS-1092.

Christians forbidden from joining with Jews at meal times…. ANTIOCH-341; VANNES-465; AGDE-506; EPAONE- 517; ORLEANS- 536; MACON- 583; CLICHY-626; METZ-888; COYANZA-1050.

Jews not admitted to public office- CLERMONT-535; MACON-583; TOLEDO-589; PARIS-614; CLICHY-626; TOLEDO-633; MEAUX & PARIS-845; PAVIA-850’ METZ- 850; ROME-1078.

Jews prohibited from owning Christian slaves- ORLEANS-538; MACON-583; CLICHY-626; TOLEDO- 589 & 633; CHALON- 650; ROUEN- 1074.

Christians ordered not to use the sabbath day as a day of rest… LAODICEA- 434 & 481; ORLEANS- 538.

Jews ordered not to appear in public during Easter… ORLEANS-538; MACON-583; PARIS & MEAUX – 845.

Jews not allowed to work on Sundays…NARBONNE- 589

Baptised Jews forced to conform to church practices… TOLEDO- 633 & 694

Landowning Jews forced to pay church tithes…GERONA- 1068

Jews compelled to hear Catholic priest’s sermons…LYONS & CHALON- 816 & 825; MACON & MAINZ- 937 & 939.

Compulsory baptism of Jews… TRIER- 1066, AND LATER DURING THE 2ND. CRUSADE IN MANY TOWNS IN GERMANY &  FRANCE,e.g. – COLOGNE,MAINZ WORMS, SPEYER, STRASBOURG.

Jews compelled to wear the badge or 6-pointed star…ENFORCED THROUGHOUT ROMAN CATHOLIC LANDS BY ORDER IN  THE 4th.  LATERAN COUNCIL- 1215

Christian contacts with Jews forbidden…CHALCEDON- 451; TRULLO- 691

Baptised Jews compelled to observe Jewish and Christian festivals in the presence of a ;;bishop… TOLEDO- 655.

Walled ghettos created for Jews…SPEYER; NAPLES; OXFORD; BRESLAU; BUDA’ PALERMO; TARASCON; RHODES; BARCELONA;VALENCIA;TURIN; FRANKFURT; PRAGUE; MADRID; MURCIA; KAZIMIERZ; FEZ; VIENNA;VERONA; FERRARA; MAINZ. IN PORTUGAL JEWS WERE FORCED TO LIVE IN “JUDIARIA.  IN RUSSIAN  LANDS JEWS WRE RESTRICTED TO THE PALE OF SETTLEMENT, SITED IN THE UKRAINE UNTIL 1917

 

   TO BE  CONTINUED…