Judaism on Trial: Jewish-Christian Disputations in the Middle Ages

by Hyam Maccoby

Hyam Maccoby's now classic study focuses on the major Jewish-Christian disputations of medieval Europe: those of Paris (1240), Barcelona (1263), and Tortosa (1413-14). It examines the content of these theological confrontations with a sense of present-day relevance, while also discussing the use made of scriptural proof-texts. Part I provides a general thematic consideration of the three disputations and their social and historical background. Part II is a complete translation of the account of the Barcelona Disputation written by Nahmanides, one of the greatest figures in the history of Jewish learning, and was Jewish spokesman at the disputation. Part III contains Jewish and Christian accounts of the Paris and Tortosa disputations. A new introduction reviews the relevant literature that has been published since the original edition appeared.

Genres: Judaism, History, Christianity, Nonfiction

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Hyam Maccoby (1924-2004)

Reviews

[Adam Carnehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Middle Ages there were numerous "disputations," that is, formally organized, scholastic debates, between Jewish rabbis and Christian theologians. Three in particular: the Paris Disputation of 1240, the Barcelona Disputation of 1263, and the drawn-out Tortosa Disputation of 1413-1414 were significant events for the notable debaters and powerful personages involved. Hyam Maccoby (formerly of University of Leeds) has produced this well-researched book which very ably introduces the historical and religious aspects of the disputations, and then offers original translations of the Jewish and Christian accounts of the debates. The result is an immensely interesting book that, for me at least, was a page-turner.

The disputations generally centered around the Talmud. At Paris the Talmud was attacked for its "blasphemies" by a convert named Nicholas Donin. At Barcelona, the debate was a bit more sophisticated, as a convert named Pablo Christiani attempted to demonstrate to Nachmanides (his Jewish opponent) that the Messiahship of Christ could be proven through the Talmud. And finally, at Tortossa, a convert named Geronimo of Sante Fe attempted to prove to his Jewish opponents that the Talmud had historical layers: the earliest of which proved the truth of Christianity, the latest of which proved the sacrilege and blindness of Judaism.

Generally speaking, Christians in the Middle Ages took issue with the Talmud's "Aggadoth" (parables, stories), many of which are hyperbolic and allegorical. Some stories, such as Eve's copulation with the serpent in Eden, were considered downright blasphemous. Others, such as an obscure reference to "killing Gentiles" in times of war, were considered immoral. Many, many hours were apparently spent in the Middle Ages with rabbis and theologians going back and forth about the Talmud, misunderstanding each other and speaking from radically different perspectives.

Throughout these disputations the reader will note that the Jewish debaters were usually horribly mistreated and usually not given adequate time for preparation or rebuttal. It is also questionable how many of the Jewish disputants even desired anything approaching a debate in the first place; one will notice that, in every case, with the possible exception of Nachmanides, the rabbis feel awkward, especially because they knew the debates would not really convert anyone or prove anything.

[Craig Bolton]

Judaism on Trial: Jewish-Christian Disputations in the Middle Ages (The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization) by Hyam Maccoby (1993)