HIS 220 Jews in Middle Ages
Final Exam and Transcript Provided by Davar Academy
HIS 220 History European Jews in the Middle Ages
HIS 220 is a self-study course whose grade is based solely on the final examination. The course of study that is necessary to be prepared for the final examination consists of lessons based on the readings noted in this syllabus. Students should read the entire text of all the reading assignments. There are no formal assignments, but students are encouraged to take the practice quizzes associated with the readings to ensure that they have gleaned the appropriate knowledge to fulfill the course objectives and are well prepared for the final exam.
This course explores historical events and personalities involving or affecting the Jewish people in medieval Europe through the fourteenth century. The course will also focus on how historical figures made an impact on Jewish life through their major works and communal interaction. Significant figures include Rashi and the Ba’alei Tosafos, the Rabainu Tam, R’ Yitzchok b. Shmuel (the
Ri), the Ra’avad and R’ Zerachyah HaLevi (the Ba’al Hamaor). Nicholas Donin,
Innocent III, R’ Shmuel of Falais, R’ Yechiel of Paris, R’ Moshe of Coucy, R’ Chaim Kohen, R’ Meir of Rothenberg and his students, R’ Kalonymos of Rome and R’ Nosson b Yechiel. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of how the Jews living in Europe during the Middle Ages interacted with surrounding cultures, and how they influenced and were influenced by their host countries. Also, students will be able to express an understanding of the significance of major political and cultural events and their impact on the Jewish communities and individuals. Topics include the Second Crusade, early Christian Anti-Semitism, Ritual Murder Libels, Blood Libels, The French and English expulsions, usury the Papacy, the disputations, the burning of the Talmud, emigration to Eretz Yisroel, the expulsion from France, the Black Death, rabbinic ordination, the 100 Years War.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Illustrate and discuss what Jewish society and culture was like during the European Middle Ages.
- Describe the major historical events in Middle Ages Europe that affected the Jewish population and explain the impact these events had on Jewish life.
- Identify the major historical personalities in Middle Ages Europe whose actions affected the Jewish population and explain how they impacted the Jewish population.
- Describe the contributions of Jewish historical figures and explain the impact they had on Jewish life.
- Describe and assess how the interactions between Jewish and Christian cultures influenced Christian attitudes towards Jews and in turn influenced Jewish life and society.
- Describe the important decisions and decrees Jewish leaders made during this period and discuss what may have influenced their decisions and how Jewish culture was affected.
Sendler, Rabbi Binyamin. The Chosen Path: Medieval Jewry, Their Communities and Their Leaders. Dartmouth Oak Park, MI: History Works, 2007. Chapter IV, Chapter VI.
Wein, Rabbi Berel. Herald of Destiny: The Story of the Jews in the Medieval Era. Brooklyn, NY: Shaar Press, 1993. Section II, chapter 5; section III, chapter 6; section IV, chapter 10; section V, chapter 11 Section V, chapter 11 and 12.
Marcus, Jacob R. The Jew in the Medieval World. Hebrew Union College Press, 1999. Pgs. 27-31; 135-156; 340-347 Pgs. 46-56; 163-174
Articles:
Robert Chazan, “‘Let Not a Remnant or a Residue Escape’: Millenarian Enthusiasm in the First Crusade,” Speculum 84:2 (April 2009): 289–313
Soloveitchik, Haym, “The Printed Page of the Talmud the Commentaries and Their Authors”, in Sharon Liberman Mintz and Gabriel M. Goldstein eds., Printing the Talmud; From Bomberg to Schottenstein. New York: Yeshiva University Museum, 200
Robert Chazan, “Northwestern Europe,” in Robert Chazan, ed., The Cambridge History of Judaism, vol. 6 – The Middle Ages: The Christian World (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018), 213-238, 887-888
Robert Chazan, “Radical Jewish Martyrdom,” AJS Perspectives (Spring 2009): 18–20
The student’s final grade will be based on a final examination. Examination questions will cover all topics covered in the readings. Students will have two hours to complete the final examination. Students will be assigned a number grade from 0-100. A letter grade will also be issued in accordance with the following scale:
90-100 – A
80-89 – B
70-79 – C
0-69 – non passing
