Sinzig, 1266
12 April 1266
Sinzig, Germany
Previously I wrote about the Nuremberg Memorbuch, which was used to record Jewish tragedies and loss of life. Names of the dead recorded in the book were read in the synagogue at various points during the year.
Most entries in the book have a very brief, one line introduction, giving the place, date and possibly the time of year when the names of the dead should be read in synagogue. The introduction is followed be a list of those killed. So for example, one entry reads: "The dead of Erfurt, 25 Sivan 4981 [1221], including...."
Occasionally, the entry will be slightly more descriptive. In all, there are two cases in which the entry specifically mentions that the people were killed in a synagogue.
The Jewish community of Sinzig was attacked on Shabbat, April 12 1266. The synagogue was set on fire and 64 Jews are listed by name as having been killed in the flames. This included some of the leaders of the community.
The pogrom was in part a response to Abraham of Augsburg, who converted to Judaism and then proceeded to attack images of saints and destroy crucifixes, in the process of trying to convince additional Christians to convert. Avraham was not among the killed - he was taken to prison and later burnt to death as a punishment. In the Tosafot on Kiddushin 70b, Avraham is quoted as saying that the reason converts are bad for the Jews is because converts are very strict in their observance, making everyone else look unrighteous.
In light of the events in Sinzig, another interpretation is also possible.
Several slichot were written about the event, two of which are included in the book Gezerot Ashkenaz ve-Tzarfat.
Sinzig, Germany
Previously I wrote about the Nuremberg Memorbuch, which was used to record Jewish tragedies and loss of life. Names of the dead recorded in the book were read in the synagogue at various points during the year.
Most entries in the book have a very brief, one line introduction, giving the place, date and possibly the time of year when the names of the dead should be read in synagogue. The introduction is followed be a list of those killed. So for example, one entry reads: "The dead of Erfurt, 25 Sivan 4981 [1221], including...."
Occasionally, the entry will be slightly more descriptive. In all, there are two cases in which the entry specifically mentions that the people were killed in a synagogue.
The Jewish community of Sinzig was attacked on Shabbat, April 12 1266. The synagogue was set on fire and 64 Jews are listed by name as having been killed in the flames. This included some of the leaders of the community.
The pogrom was in part a response to Abraham of Augsburg, who converted to Judaism and then proceeded to attack images of saints and destroy crucifixes, in the process of trying to convince additional Christians to convert. Avraham was not among the killed - he was taken to prison and later burnt to death as a punishment. In the Tosafot on Kiddushin 70b, Avraham is quoted as saying that the reason converts are bad for the Jews is because converts are very strict in their observance, making everyone else look unrighteous.
In light of the events in Sinzig, another interpretation is also possible.
Several slichot were written about the event, two of which are included in the book Gezerot Ashkenaz ve-Tzarfat.
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