JWST 347 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Jacques Basnage, Divine Providence

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Jewish Studies
• Course: JWST 347
• Professor: Rachel Manekin

Document Summary

Jews were emancipated (accepted) in germany, given more opportunity: not unified, has to do with emancipation, broke walls between jewish community and the others. Granting emancipation to jews in germany was a long process. Jews were required to use german language in business transactions. They were not admitted to public office. Jews were required to abolish their legal autonomy. Apostasy (ticket for admission into european civilization) Scientific study of judaism (wissenschaft means science) First comprehensive post-biblical history of jews was written by a french. Huguenot, jacques basnage, in the early 18th century. Jews wrote several chronicles devoted to the names of transmitters of tradition, mostly lexicons of rabbis. Jewish history was traditionally conceived as unique and a result of divine providence. The study of history was not considered important among pre-modern jews. Historical events were interpreted according to a model of (cid:494)exile and redemption(cid:495) Historical memory was transmitted with the help of rituals, holidays, mourning days, and prayers.