A Tale from Shevet Yehuda
There are many books that compile the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people. Such lists already appear in early rabbinic literature surrounding the various fast days, but needless to say there has been ample opportunity to add to the lists.
One of the most "popular" of these books is Shevet Yehuda, written by Shlomo ibn Verga in the early 16th century. This work is itself formed around a pre-existing nucleus that was found in a book by Yehuda ibn Verga. Shevet Yehuda lists 64 persecutions amidst other tales about Jewish life.
The author of Shevet Yehuda relates the following story, which he lists as the 36th event but specifies neither the location nor the date:
"In one of the cities of Ashkenaz, there was a decree that all Jews must renounce their faith within three days, and if not they would all be burned.
"The poor people gathered and fasted for three days. They agreed that if they were not answered within three days that they would all gather in the synagogue and kill one another so as not to die at the hands of the heathens. All who were not cruel-hearted should pledge to serve the community in this act.
"And so it was, and they slaughtered their wives and children first, and in the end only the beadle was left alone, and he slit his own neck and died.
"On the morning of the fourth day, the Christians came to the doors of the Jews to learn what they had to decided and did not find any man or woman at home. They went to the synagogue and found them all dead.
"They went to the king and told him what happened, and he commanded that they not be granted burial. Rather, their bodies should be thrown to the dogs. There were a few Ashkenazim who nonetheless covered the bodies with a mound of dirt, and they were buried only due to the righteousness of these men.
"These acts should stand for the Jews in all places. Amen."
One of the most "popular" of these books is Shevet Yehuda, written by Shlomo ibn Verga in the early 16th century. This work is itself formed around a pre-existing nucleus that was found in a book by Yehuda ibn Verga. Shevet Yehuda lists 64 persecutions amidst other tales about Jewish life.
The author of Shevet Yehuda relates the following story, which he lists as the 36th event but specifies neither the location nor the date:
"In one of the cities of Ashkenaz, there was a decree that all Jews must renounce their faith within three days, and if not they would all be burned.
"The poor people gathered and fasted for three days. They agreed that if they were not answered within three days that they would all gather in the synagogue and kill one another so as not to die at the hands of the heathens. All who were not cruel-hearted should pledge to serve the community in this act.
"And so it was, and they slaughtered their wives and children first, and in the end only the beadle was left alone, and he slit his own neck and died.
"On the morning of the fourth day, the Christians came to the doors of the Jews to learn what they had to decided and did not find any man or woman at home. They went to the synagogue and found them all dead.
"They went to the king and told him what happened, and he commanded that they not be granted burial. Rather, their bodies should be thrown to the dogs. There were a few Ashkenazim who nonetheless covered the bodies with a mound of dirt, and they were buried only due to the righteousness of these men.
"These acts should stand for the Jews in all places. Amen."
Comments
Post a Comment