Lesson 4
Rivers of Blood: Antisemitism in Medieval Christian Europe

European antisemitism of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries has its roots in medieval Christian Europe. In this lesson, we examine the role of the Church in inciting the hatred of the populace. Whole communities were wiped out during the Crusades, and discriminatory edicts were the rule rather than the exception. Another expression of hatred was the public burnings of the Talmud. Yet Jews remained devout and found comfort and solace in their faith. Among the Torah giants inspiring the Jews through these dark times were Rashi and the Tosafists.