Black Death and Jews

Black Death and Jews

There have been plagues throughout recorded history, but none were of the magnitude nor had the far reaching effects as the Black Death. The Black Death was the most severe epidemic in human history that affected Europe from 1348 to 1351, and returned again from 1361 to 1362. There were outbreaks about every ten years. No one was exempt as it swept in from the shores and into the countryside, laying its burden of death and pestilence. Some towns had death rates of 30 to 40 percent during the plague. This period of high mortality took its toll and resulted in an estimated 25 million deaths in Europe.

At the time, the only known fact about the plague was that it originated in China and grew deadlier as it headed west. One common symptom was painful swelling called buboes. The presence of these buboes usually meant that death was near because almost all infected individuals died within three days. As if this was not terrifying enough, the disease was extremely contagious. Because this disease was so contagious, close relatives of affected individuals even began to turn their backs when a sign of the plague appeared. "Sick persons allegedly passed on the infection by their glances alone." According to Boccaccio, "Ð'...whenever those suffering from it mixed with those who were still unaffected, it would rush upon these with the speed of fireÐ'..." This combination of factors made the Black Death more threatening than any other disease the world had ever seen.

Therefore, fleeing from infected areas was the basic response by many Europeans. Often times, this meant leaving the city and going to the countryside. This was very common among wealthy storytellers. But these Europeans soon found that the countryside was just as bad as the city. Peasants were found dead in the fields, in their homes, and on the roads. Some livestock were running wild; others were found dead. One report specified that five thousand lay dead in one field. These sights created a sense of despair among Europeans. They felt like there was nothing else to live for. Men and women wandered around with no concern about the future.

With all of these things being taken in by the EuropeansÐ'--the sudden death of loved ones, the death of livestock, and their futures vanishing before themÐ'--they became increasingly concerned with the cause of the Black Death. People searched for answers. They wanted to know where the plague had come from. And why had it come to Europe? The actual carriers of the plague, rats and fleas, were not suspected by the Europeans. They weren't suspected because they were common during the 14th century. In fact, small rats often accompanied sailors during their journey. The actual plague bacillus, Yersina pestis, was a combination of bubonic, septicaemic, and pneumonic strains, and was not discovered until 500 years later in the 19th century.1

As deaths continued without any explanations, anger and frustration arose within the Europeans. They became determined to find the cause of the Black Death. They thought that if they could find the cause, they could better protect themselves from it. Medieval men and women became quite resourceful in determining the cause of this plague. The earthquake of 1348 was blamed for corrupting the air with foul odors, which were thought to have started the plague. The alignment of the planets was also said to be the cause; Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter aligned in the 40th degree of Aquarius on March 20, 1345. Without any definite explanations coming from these alleged causes, the Europeans turned to yet another possible solution. They attributed the Black Death to spirits or gods.

Many Europeans began to think that the Black Death was a signal of the wrath of God. The sins of European Christians were blamed for causing the Black Death. They felt that such a plague could only be the work of some divine punishment upon mankind for its sins. The people began praying, weeping, and pleading for the mercy of Virgin Mary. One evangelist says, "Ð'...sin is the cause." He believed the physical means of the plague "arises from the seaÐ'...For the devil is voiding his poison in the air, and the air spreads gradually from place to place." In September of 1348, the Pope agreed with these Europeans. When people continued to die from this disease, Christians began to realize that their idea of God's wrath was not the cause of this plague. Therefore, the Christians began looking for a scapegoat.

They began looking at the Jews. It didn't seem to matter that the Jews were dying as quickly as Christians. On charges that they had poisoned the water with intent to kill all Christians, the extermination of Jews began. Christians first began by isolating Jews. Jews were not allowed to intermarry, build new synagogues, own land, or participate in craft guilds. More rumors about Jews poisoning the water came sweeping across Europe. There was a rumor that the Black Death was a conspiracy started by the Jews. It was reported that the Jewish metropolis Toledo is where the plot began. One story was that Jews had been instructed by rabbi to drop poison made from lizards and Christian hearts into the wells and springs. Because of these rumors, Jews were beaten, burned, tortured, and forced into confession. One such confession was made by Agimet, a Jew, who was arrested in Chatel. According to Agimet, he was sent to Venice to buy skills and other things. When a man by the name of Rabbi Peyret heard of this, he sent for Agimet. Agimet says that Rabbi Peyret gave him a package of poison that was placed in a leather bag. He was instructed to spread it among wells, cisterns, and springs in Venice, Calabria, Apulia, and Ballet. His confession, like many others, was recorded and spread to lands that were still tolerating Jews.

Another source described how Jews were excavated from the area of Strasbourg. Strasbourg was a land where Jews were being tolerated, and the rulers of this area didn't think that anything should be done to them. However, Strasbourg received a letter from the areas of Berne and Zofingen, who had already done away with the