crusaders+research

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In the [|First Crusade], flourishing communities on the [|Rhine] and the [|Danube] were utterly destroyed by some crusaders (see [|German Crusade, 1096] ). In the [|Second Crusade] (1147) the Jews in France suffered especially. [|Philip Augustus] treated them with exceptional severity during the [|Third Crusade] (1188). The Jews were also subjected to attacks by the [|Shepherds' Crusades] of 1251 and 1320. The atrocities were opposed by the local bishops and widely condemned at the time as a violation of the crusades aim, which was not directed against the Jews.[|[1]] However, the perpetrators mostly escaped legal punishment. Also, the social position of the Jews in western Europe distinctly worsened, and legal restrictions increased during and after the crusades. They prepared the way for anti-Jewish legislation of [|Pope Innocent III]. The crusades resulted in centuries of strong feelings of ill will on both sides and hence constitute a turning point in the relationship between Jews and Christians. 2. []

In the year 1741 BCE, Abraham began his long journey from Haran to Canaan - a journey which would change the history of the world and have a profound effect on the development of most major religions. Throughout the ages there has been a fascination with Jewish history. People have questioned the "miracle of the continual existence of the Jewish people" - this despite the almost consistent world delight in their persecution and ridicule. Studying history hopefully gives us a deeper understanding of who we are and why we are here. It is in the spirit of making Jewish history more meaningful and relevant that this site is presented.

3. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1003&letter=S

Bishopric of Rhenish Bavaria. The first mention of a Jewish community in Speyer occurs during the episcopate of Bishop Rüdiger, who officiated from 1073 to 1090. He admitted several Jewish refugees, and assigned them, together with the Jews already settled there, a special quarter, which he enclosed with a wall for the sake of protection. This quarter consisted of a hill and a valley outside the city proper. In order further to protect the Jews, he granted them, on Sept. 13, 1084, a special privilege on condition that they should pay 3½ pounds of Speyer money annually to the cloisters. The Jews were also allowed to trade in the harbor in all kinds of goods, and to exchange gold and silver; they received as their special property a burial-ground from the estates of the Church; the chief rabbi was given absolute jurisdiction in all cases arising among them; and they were permitted to hire Christian servants and nurses, and to sell to Christians such meat as they themselves did not use.