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THE JEWS AND MOORS IN SPAIN.
THE JEWS AND MOORS IN SPAIN.
BY RABBI JOS. KRAUSKOPF. KANSAS CITY: M. Berkowitz & Co., Publishers and Printers. 1887. Copyright, 1886 , By Joseph Krauskopf. All Rights Reserved. TO The Members of Congregation B'NAI JEHUDAH OF Kansas City, Missouri, In Deep Appreciation of their Kindness and Encouragement This Volume Is Respectfully Dedicated. This volume is a reprint of newspaper reports of a series of lectures delivered by the author from the pulpit of Congregation B'nai Jehudah, Kansas City, Mo., during the Fall a
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Letter from Hon. T. T. Crittenden,
Letter from Hon. T. T. Crittenden,
Ex-Governor of the State of Missouri. Kansas City, Mo., March 29, 1886. Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf. Dear Sir :—Having read with pleasure and edification the series of lectures delivered in the Synagogue, Kansas City, Mo., entitled " The Jews and Moors in Spain ," in which you treat of the social, political, religious and intellectual life of these Oriental nations, may I inquire if it is your purpose to have them published in book form? I think the lectures too valuable, too full of prolonged histor
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Letter From Arnold Krekel,
Letter From Arnold Krekel,
Judge of the U. S. Court, Western District of Missouri. Kansas City, Mo, April 2, 1886. Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf. My Dear Sir :—Having attended a number of your lectures on " The History of the Jews and Moors in Spain ," and read such as I did not hear, allow me to give expression to my views regarding the same. Aside from the interest the student of history must always feel in that part of history of which your lectures treat, the manner of treatment specially interested me. Relating historical f
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Editorial in the Kansas City Journal of Sunday, April 24, 1886.
Editorial in the Kansas City Journal of Sunday, April 24, 1886.
The Journal published yesterday morning the eighteenth and last of the series of lectures delivered by Rabbi Krauskopf on " The Jew and Moor in Spain ." From first to last these lectures have been of absorbing interest. The Synagogue has been crowded on the occasion of their delivery, and it was with regret that the Rabbi's hearers heard that the lecture on Friday night was the last of the series. It is the purpose of Rabbi Krauskopf to have his lectures issued in book form. They will make an at
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CHAPTER I. A DAY IN CORDOVA.
CHAPTER I. A DAY IN CORDOVA.
SIX AND EIGHT AND TEN CENTURIES BACK IN THE WORLD'S HISTORY.—OUR ENTRANCE INTO SPAIN.—A MIRACLE.—THE BEAUTIFUL GUADALQUIVIR.—OUR BRONZE COMPLEXIONED OARSMAN.—FAIR CORDOVA.—THE CITY OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES.—NIGHT.—A SERENADE.—OUR DEPARTURE. It is with the past that we shall commune in these pages. Events and scenes, beautiful and loathsome, joyous and tearful, ennobling and degrading, will follow each other in rapid succession. There will be much that, despite the very best of historic sources,
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CHAPTER II. EUROPE DURING THE DARK AGES.
CHAPTER II. EUROPE DURING THE DARK AGES.
UPON THE OCEAN.—DESOLATE EUROPE.—LONGING AFTER CORDOVA.—SOUTHERN SPAIN CONTRASTED WITH THE REST OF EUROPE.—REVOLTING UNCLEANLINESS.—ASCETIC MONKS ESTABLISH THE BELIEF THAT CLEANLINESS OF BODY LEADS TO POLLUTION OF SOUL.—INTELLECT FETTERED HAND AND FOOT.—CLERGY RETARDING PROGRESS.—SECULAR KNOWLEDGE SPURNED. On, on, we glide upon the smooth, broad bosom of the majestic Guadalquivir, along graceful groves and parks and palaces, through woods and meads, hills and dales, shades and sun. A last glance
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CHAPTER III. EUROPE DURING THE DARK AGES. (CONTINUED.)
CHAPTER III. EUROPE DURING THE DARK AGES. (CONTINUED.)
GROSS SUPERSTITIONS.—A CRUCIFIX THAT SHED TEARS OF BLOOD.—THE VIRGIN'S HOUSE CARRIED THROUGH THE AIR BY ANGELS.—SATAN IN THE FORM OF A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.—SCENES IN HELL.—THE BURNING OF WITCHES.—A KING WHO CANNOT WRITE HIS NAME.—FEUDAL LORDS AS HIGHWAY ROBBERS.—THE SERFDOM OF THE PEASANTS.—RETURN TO CORDOVA. We promised to make a careful examination into the influence which the ignorance of the clergy exercised upon the aspect of religion, upon the morals of the Church, and upon the social, industr
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CHAPTER IV. OUR RETURN TO CORDOVA.
CHAPTER IV. OUR RETURN TO CORDOVA.
CORDOVA AT DAY-BREAK.—THE MOHAMMEDAN SABBATH.—THE YOUTH OF CORDOVA DISPORTS ITSELF UPON THE WATER.—SONG.—CHALLENGE BETWEEN OARSMAN.—THE MUEZZIN'S CALL.—THE GREAT MOSQUE.—A SERMON.—CHASDAI IBN SHAPRUT, THE JEWISH MINISTER TO THE CALIPH.—DUNASH IBN LABRAT.—ON THE WAY TO ABDALLAH IBN XAMRI, THE MOORISH POET. Again our light-winged boat glides upon the broad and silvery bosom of the majestic Guadalquiver, along parks filled with flowering shrubs, along glittering palaces and song-resounding woods, a
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RODERICK'S LAMENT.
RODERICK'S LAMENT.
A SPANISH NATIONAL BALLAD. Translated by J. G. Lockhart....
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CHAPTER VI. A SABBATH EVE IN CORDOVA.
CHAPTER VI. A SABBATH EVE IN CORDOVA.
THE SYNAGOGUE OF CORDOVA.—THE DAUGHTERS OF ISRAEL PREPARING FOR THE SABBATH.—THE THRONE OF THE "NASI."—RABBI MOSES BEN CHANOCH.—THE ELOQUENCE OF SILENCE.—A TEARFUL SCENE.—THREE RABBIS TAKEN CAPTIVE BY PIRATES.—EVIL DESIGNS AGAINST CHANOCH'S YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL WIFE.—SOLD AS SLAVE TO CORDOVA.—HIS MIRACULOUS RISE. A paved walk, guarded on each side by majestic cypress trees, winding its course along terraced gardens and near refreshing fountains, leads up to the lofty eminence on which stands the
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CHAPTER VII. A SABBATH EVE IN CORDOVA (CONTINUED.)
CHAPTER VII. A SABBATH EVE IN CORDOVA (CONTINUED.)
THE EVENING SERVICE.—A BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM IN ISRAEL.—HONORED WITH AN INVITATION TO CHASDAI'S HOUSE.—ILLUMINATED STREETS.—THE TWO ANGELS.—AN IDEAL SABBATH IN AN IDEAL HOME.—THE PRAISE OF THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN.—A FATHER'S BLESSING.—PRESENTED TO THE LADIES.—THE EVENING MEAL.—THE JEWISH KINGDOM OF THE KHOZARS. The " Sh'liach Hazibur ," (Reader) has taken his position before the lecturn upon the " Bimah ." From a voluminous parchment folio he chants the beautiful and joyous Psalms xcv, xcix, cii, in that
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CHAPTER VIII. THE ENTRANCE OF THE JEWS INTO EUROPE.
CHAPTER VIII. THE ENTRANCE OF THE JEWS INTO EUROPE.
CHASDAI'S LIBRARY.—HIS ACCOUNT OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE JEWS INTO EUROPE.—THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM.—A TERRIBLE CARNAGE.—ISRAEL CEASES AS A NATION.—THE DIASPORE.—THE DAUGHTER-RELIGIONS THRIVE UPON THE SUFFERINGS THEY INFLICT UPON THE MOTHER-RELIGION.—THE INDESTRUCTIBILITY OF ISRAEL.—HUMILIATED BUT NOT FORSAKEN. When we were comfortably seated in the magnificent library of Chasdai ben Isaac, which was furnished luxuriantly, and with an eye to ease and comfort, and stocked with thousands of parch
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CHAPTER IX. THE ENTRANCE OF THE JEWS INTO SPAIN.
CHAPTER IX. THE ENTRANCE OF THE JEWS INTO SPAIN.
JEWS SETTLE IN SPAIN DURING THE REIGN OF KING SOLOMON.—JEWISH AGRICULTURAL SKILL MAKES ANDALUSIA THE GARDEN SPOT OF EUROPE.—PROSPERITY THE GREAT CRIME OF THE JEWS.—THE BEGINNING OF JEWISH PERSECUTIONS IN EUROPE.—CRUEL LAWS.—VENGEANCE.—JEWS CONSPIRE WITH COUNT JULIAN AND MOORS AGAINST SPAIN.—VICTORY.—MOORISH APPRECIATION OF THE SERVICES OF THE JEWS. The week had passed. It was Sabbath Eve once more. Again we assembled in the library hall of Chasdai ben Isaac to listen to the narrative of "The Ent
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CHAPTER X. THEIR POSITION IN MEDICAL SCIENCE.
CHAPTER X. THEIR POSITION IN MEDICAL SCIENCE.
THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.—A CHANGE IN THE FORTUNES OF THE JEWS AND MOORS.—AN EXAMINATION INTO THEIR GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS.—THEIR SKILL IN MEDICAL SCIENCE.—MIRACLE CURE BY CHRISTIAN CLERGY.—JEWISH BODY PHYSICIANS HIGHLY PRIZED AND MUCH SOUGHT.—PROMINENT MEDICAL SCHOOLS AND EMINENT PHYSICIANS.—RASHI.—IBN EZRA.—IBN TIBBON.—MAIMONIDES.—AVENZOAR AVACENNA. We have witnessed the rise of Islam. We accompanied the Arab on his march of conquest. Breathlessly we stood upon the banks of the Guadalete and awaited
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CHAPTER XI. IN THE SCIENCES.
CHAPTER XI. IN THE SCIENCES.
MARVELOUS INTELLECTUAL SUPERIORITY OF MOORS AND JEWS.—MOORS EXCEL THE JEWS IN THE SCIENCES.—THEY INTRODUCE THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES.—THEIR PROGRESS IN ASTRONOMY.—ABSURD REFUTATIONS BY THE CHRISTIAN CLERGY.—THEIR RESEARCHES INTO CHEMISTRY, ZOOLOGY AND GEOLOGY.—THEY ANTICIPATE MODERN DISCOVERIES.—EUROPE'S INGRATITUDE. We turn next in our review of the intellectual labors of the Moors and Jews in Spain, during the period that extends from the beginning of the eighth to the end of the fifteenth cen
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SEPARATION.
SEPARATION.
Thus sings Moses ben Esra; — Extracts from the Book of Tarshish or "Necklace of Pearls." It was not for want of cause that the sedate greybeards of Cordova applied for legal aid to have the passionate love songs of Abraham Ibn Sahal prohibited, for there was not a youth or maiden in the city who could not repeat them by heart. And as to songs of war and wit and spirit, the "Makamen" of Jehuda ben Salamo ben Alchofni , better known as " Charisi " gives ample proof to assure us that the Jews might
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LOVE SONG OF CHARISI.
LOVE SONG OF CHARISI.
And as to the curious riddles which India's bards did tell, let us translate one or two, from Jehuda Ha-Levi to show that even into this field of poetic fancy the Jewish mind did wander, and it plucked there fruit as choice as India's bards did ever pluck. Ha-Levi asks, Who solves this: Or this: As to their skill in reflective and descriptive poetry, let the following specimens show:...
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(Extracts from the Book of Tarshish, or "Necklace of Pearls.")
(Extracts from the Book of Tarshish, or "Necklace of Pearls.")
But with all their distinguished merits in these branches of poetic literature, they laid no claims to recognition, nor shall we claim it for them. Their aspiration was higher. Their lay was sacred. Their ideal of poetic grandeur was the writing and singing of majestic hymns, and they have given us a hymnology, a collection of pure and sacred songs, that has never yet been equalled. We know not what rational religious fervor is, we know not what real piety is, we know not what joyful ectasy is,
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IN THE NIGHT.
IN THE NIGHT.
Read the following stanzas culled from Ha-Levi's "Elegy on Zion" and ask yourselves, where is the sacred epic that will compare with it?...
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ISRAEL, THE DOVE.[30]
ISRAEL, THE DOVE.[30]
Noble Ha-Levi, poet by the grace of God humbly we implore thy pardon for so feebly speaking of thee and thy glorious work! Would that we had the gift to speak of thee as thou deservest. Fill us thou sweet singer of Israel, with poetic instinct, and fill us, too, with thy religious zeal and fervor. Fill us with such a love for Israel and her cause, that we too might as thou didst toil for the of our people and our God. [31]...
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CHAPTER. XIII. IN PHILOSOPHY.
CHAPTER. XIII. IN PHILOSOPHY.
ALEXANDRIA, THE INTELLECTUAL METROPOLIS OF THE WORLD.—A PRODIGIOUS STIMULUS GIVEN TO LEARNING.—THE SEPTUAGINT.—DEVELOPMENT OF GRECIAN PHILOSOPHY INTO ARISTOTLIANISM.—THIS ENGRAFTED ON JEWISH THEOLOGY.—OPPOSITION OF CHRISTIANITY TO ARISTOTLIANISM.—AVERROES.—MOSES MAIMONIDES.—OPPOSITION UNSUCCESSFUL. We must devote some little space and time to a review of the place the Moors and the Jews held in philosophy during their stay in Spain from the eighth to the fifteenth century. The purpose of this wo
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CHAPTER. XIV. IN THE INDUSTRIES.
CHAPTER. XIV. IN THE INDUSTRIES.
INTELLECTUAL GREATNESS OF MOORS AND JEWS INDUCED BY THEIR MATERIAL PROSPERITY—REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE—NEW DISCOVERIES IN EVERY INDUSTRY—MINING A SPECIALTY—THE MAGNET. MARINER'S COMPASS MECHANICAL APPARATUS. SPREAD OF COMMERCE LEADS TO GENERAL AWAKENING OF EUROPE THAT ENDS MIDDLE AGES. Hark! Again the doleful knell is tolling. With greater speed and in larger numbers the people are hurrying to the public square. The procession of priests, chanting hymns of victory and imprecatory pr
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Antonio Joseph da Silva.
Antonio Joseph da Silva.
TORQUEMADA RESOLVES UPON IMMEDIATE EXPULSION OF ALL UNCONVERTED JEWS.—THE FATAL EDICT.—THE SPANIARDS MOVED TO PITY.—DON ISAAC ABARBANEL PLEADS WITH THE QUEEN.—THE QUEEN HESITATES.—TORQUEMADA, THE FIEND, CONQUERS AGAIN.—THE ILL-FATED JEWS SEEK AMONG THE DEAD THE PITY WHICH THE LIVING REFUSE.—THE DEPARTURE. With tearful eyes and bleeding heart we have seen portrayed the mournful and tragic fate of the Jews and Moors in Spain. We were unwilling eye-witnesses to sufferings and cruelties, which we kn
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TORQUEMADA.
TORQUEMADA.
EXILES TRANSPORTED ON SHIPS—HEART-RENDING SCENES ON BOARD A SHIP—SET ASHORE ON DESERTED ISLANDS TO STARVE—STARVING JEWS GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN DEATH AND CHRISTIANITY—MERCIFUL ITALY—CRAFTY PORTUGAL—TORQUEMADA'S EDICT ECLIPSED—THE EXPULSION OF JEWS FROM PORTUGAL—A CONDITION—THE KING'S MARRIAGE—CONTRACT—FINAL EXPULSION. Thus mournfully closed the last chapter. These are sad words, fraught with anguish and despair, yet however sad, however despondent and hopeless, however much of grief, and anguis
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Isabel la Catolica.
Isabel la Catolica.
A BRIEF REVIEW.—CURSE OF GOD VISITED UPON SPAIN.—THE CHURCH A FALSE PROPHET.—WITH EXPULSION OF THE JEWS AND MOORS SPANISH PROSPERITY CEASES.—SPANIARDS EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE SUFFERINGS WHICH THE JEWS AND MOORS HAD ENDURED.—SPAIN MAKES AMENDS.—THE MOORS LOST.—THE JEWS LIVE. A few words more and our task is ended. A few words more and we shall bid a last farewell to unfortunate Spain, once so sunny, so prosperous, so intellectual, and so fair. A few words more and our goodly vessel, staunch and st
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FAREWELL TO SPAIN.
FAREWELL TO SPAIN.
NOTE. —The German Poems, at the end of Chapters XV. , XVI. , XVII. , XVIII. , are selections from Dr. M. Levins' "Iberia." The poetic selections on pages 133 , 134 , 135 , are from the writings of Gabirol. Ha Levi is the author of the first selection, and Moses ben Ezra of the second selection on page 136 . [1] Consult Wall's History of Infant Baptism. [2] For full account of the teaching of the Church during the Dark Ages concerning the suffering in hell, see Lecky's "History of European Morals
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