Middle AgesWho is a Jewish Intellectual in the Middle Ages?VariationsImportance of family (as opposed to institutions)Geonic aristocraciesMaimonidean dynasty in Spain and EgyptControl of Language & Library AccessJudah Ibn Tibbon- brings training & books from southern to northern SpainSocial CharacteristicsElite? Rabbis and DoctorsInteresting 10th century record of a traveling wool merchant suggests broader baseImmanuel of Rome; poetMobility (Kalonymous ben Kalonymous)Cultural Context: Contact & ConflictIslamic vs Christian worldsHigh cultural level in the Islamic citiesCommon to point to elements of openness under the impact of philosophyExceptions: Almohades in Spain force Joseph ibn Aknin to convertDoes relativism lead to conversionLanguage is shared; cultural competitionKalonymos ben Kalonymos186-1328- Provecal (Catolonia; Italy)Robert of AnjouMore than 30 translations of scholary works between Hebrew, ArabicPoem: Evan BohanLettersTo his brothers from BarcelonaTo his son from NaplesDid he want a gender change?Invention of New CentersPoland- urbanization; population rise; 1648-49Ottoman Turkey (fall of Istanbul 1453; Salonika 1478)Opens the way to land of Israel 1516- SafedNew larger, multi-ethnic communities; new forms of organizationItalyShift to central and northern territoriesSpanish imperial vs local powerEcclesiastical power/traditional toleranceEconomic considerationsLocal independenceChartered communities (Levantines)Venice: ghetto is a method of tolerationPisa/Livorno- trade with E. and W.ConversosAnusim, New Christians, MarranosPrecede expulsion: 1391Forced conversion: 1497 (Portugal)Conversos on the PeninsulaPurity of blood statues 1455 ToledoInquistion 1478State, not PapalPortuguese 1536Irrelevant to JewsOrganized community? (spain;Portugal) 1580-1640 union stimulates Spanish judaizingConversos as SettlersConverso economic influence in a world trade system (mendes/Nasi familiy)Conversos as settlers in South France, Antwerp, new worldCharters to PonentinesOverlap with other Jews in ItalyAmsterdam, Hamburg, LondonReturning JewsAre they jewish?Requirement to convertBring new ideas and relativist approachAmsterdam: Orobio di Castro, Uriel d”Acosta, Benedict SpinozaVenice: Samuel AboabBoundaries are tenuous; concepts are mixed (Circumcision and baptism)11/12/2012 21:46:00← Middle Ages← Who is a Jewish Intellectual in the Middle Ages?← Variations← Importance of family (as opposed to institutions)← Geonic aristocracies← Maimonidean dynasty in Spain and Egypt← Control of Language & Library Access← Judah Ibn Tibbon- brings training & books from southern to northern Spain← Social Characteristics← Elite? Rabbis and Doctors← Interesting 10th century record of a traveling wool merchant suggests broader base← Immanuel of Rome; poet← Mobility (Kalonymous ben Kalonymous)← Cultural Context: Contact & Conflict← Islamic vs Christian worlds← High cultural level in the Islamic cities← Common to point to elements of openness under the impact of philosophy← Exceptions: Almohades in Spain force Joseph ibn Aknin to convert← Does relativism lead to conversion← Language is shared; cultural competition← Kalonymos ben Kalonymos← 186-1328- Provecal (Catolonia; Italy)← Robert of Anjou← More than 30 translations of scholary works between Hebrew, Arabic← Poem: Evan Bohan← Letters← To his brothers from Barcelona← To his son from Naples← Did he want a gender change?←← Invention of New Centers← Poland- urbanization; population rise; 1648-49← Ottoman Turkey (fall of Istanbul 1453; Salonika 1478)← Opens the way to land of Israel 1516- Safed← New larger, multi-ethnic communities; new forms of organization← Italy ← Shift to central and northern territories← Spanish imperial vs local power← Ecclesiastical power/traditional tolerance← Economic considerations← Local independence← Chartered communities (Levantines)← Venice: ghetto is a method of toleration← Pisa/Livorno- trade with E. and W.← Conversos← Anusim, New Christians, Marranos← Precede expulsion: 1391← Forced conversion: 1497 (Portugal)← Conversos on the Peninsula← Purity of blood statues 1455 Toledo← Inquistion 1478← State, not Papal← Portuguese 1536← Irrelevant to Jews← Organized community? (spain;Portugal) 1580-1640 union stimulates Spanish judaizing← Conversos as Settlers← Converso economic influence in a world trade system (mendes/Nasi familiy)← Conversos as settlers in South France, Antwerp, new world← Charters to Ponentines← Overlap with other Jews in Italy← Amsterdam, Hamburg, London← Returning Jews← Are they jewish?← Requirement to convert← Bring new ideas and relativist approach← Amsterdam: Orobio di Castro, Uriel d”Acosta, Benedict Spinoza← Venice: Samuel Aboab← Boundaries are tenuous; concepts are mixed (Circumcision and baptism)←←11/12/2012 21:46:00←11/12/2012