Reading Questions for Wednesday, Sept. 24th

Sachar

1a. Economic changes of Western European Jewry in the Early Modern Period?

-more job opportunities (wider vocational leeway)-->instead of just peddling and moneylending, Jews dealt in areas such as cattle, textiles, timber, silks, satins, gold, silver, and precious gems

-rulers began to realize the talents that the Jews possessed

1b. How did these changes alter the lives of the Jews? What is a Court Jew?

-reward: could live outside the Ghetto and travel between cities without paying "Jew taxes"

-growing Jewish middle class

-Court Jew: intercessors between local Jewry and the ruler (also dealt with munitions, mercenary soldiers), they resembled high official status, they were exempt from jurisdiction of Jewish and Gentile courts-->accountable for actions only in Royal Court

Katz

2. How do these changes prepare the way for the entrance of Western European Jews into general society?

-religion tolerance

-idea of moral self-sufficiency of the state

-best interest of the state (economic, etc...)

Mendes-Flohr

3a. Why was Spinoza excommunicated by the Spanish-Portuguese community of Amsterdam?

-because he practiced and taught heresies 

-because he was accused of being an atheist

3b. How does Spinoza explain his beliefs to Albert Burgh

-church is based on superstition

-church has secrets

-church is deceiving and lucrative

-the only reason people are devoted to the church is because they are afraid of Hell