In the Year 1096: The First Crusade and the Jews

II. Spring 1096

Chapter II Spring 1096 The crusade-related anti:Jewish violence that exploded in the Rhineland in the spring of 1096 unfolded, with no real warning, over a period of three months. Little wonder then that the Jews of the Rhineland towns reacted in such varied ways and with such uncertainty. The rapid pace of events robbed lhem of requisite time for careful reflection. Spontaneous Christian actions necessitated equally spontaneous Jewish responses, 'with both the glory and the blunders that such improvisation always entails. Unlike their Rhinelalld brethren, the Jews of northern France were well aware of the call to the crusade and of its potential for evoking anti:Jewish animus. The Mainz Anony- 28 In the Year 1096: The First Crusade and theJews mous, much concerned to detail the early evolution of the crusade, depicts briefly but accurately its emergence in France and the potential for anti:Jcwish violence. This unprecedented and unanticipated movement deeply frightened the Jews of France. In their anxiety, they addressed distinguished Rhineland Jewry, seeking its prayers on their behalf. The author of the Maim Anonymous, anguished by the ironies of 1096, recounts the RhinelandJewish reply to the French Jewish entreaty, penned by the leaders of Mainz Jewry: "All the Uewish] communities have decreed a fast. We have done our part. May God save us and save you from all distress and hardship. We are deeply fearful for you. We, however, have less reason to fear [for ourselves], for we have heard not even a rumor [of the crusade]." To this report, the Jewish narrator adds sardonically: "Indeed, we did not hear that a decree had been issued and that a sword was to afflict us mortally." In the event, frightened FrenchJewrysurvived 1096 almost unscathed; Rhineland Jewry-understandably insensitive to the early phases of crusading-suffered profoundly at the hands of the crusaders. As the French crusading forces moved eastward into German areas, they seem to have remained well in check. Even the large and unruly forces led by Peter the Hermit inflicted no real harm. The Solomon bar Simson Chronicle preserves a report on Peter's preaching in Trier, indicating that Peter bore with him a letter from the Jews of France urging their brethren in Germany to support Peter with provisions , in return for which they would enjoy safety. According to the Jewish chronicler, the advice of French Jewry was heeded: "We gave [funds] to the priest Peter, and they went on their way." The Mainz Anonymous tells us, in a more general way, of the passage of the French crusaders: "When the crusaders began to reach this land, they sought funds with which to purchase bread. We gave them, considering ourselves to be fulfilling the verse 'Serve the king of Babylon and live."" The French crusaders were dangerous, but the potential for serious violence against German Jewry was not actualized. In both France and Germany, the French cru- spring 1096 29 saders aroused fear, did no physical damage, and left undoubtedly relievedJewnes in thei.r wake. Indeed, the hann inflicted by the French crusaders in Germany was not physical ; it was, rather. indirect, the result of the passions they aroused as they swept across German territory. The Mainz Anonymous specifies the twin local forces unleashed by the passage of the French crusaders. The first involved the burghers of the Rhineland towns. After describing the successful provisioning of the French crusading bands. the Jewish narrator adds: "All this, however, was of no avail, for our sins brought it about that the burghers in every city to which the crusaders came were hostile to us, for their [the burghers'] hands were also with them [the crusaders] to destroy vine and stock all along the way to Jerusalem." More important, the French crusaders, particularly Peter the Hermit, recruited new adherents to the cause across Germany. As already noted, Peter preached in Cologne on Easter-a particularly propitious time for effective crusade recruitment-but did not remain long enough to organize the new recruits. The end result was the emergence of radical German bands, imbued with a variety of bizarre notions. These bands were far more intense in their anti:Jewish thinking. By this time, once confident Mainz Jewry decreed a fast, now no longer on behalf of others. According to the Mainz Anonymous, the entreaties of Mainz Jewry were not answered. "For the crusaders with their insignia came, with their standards, before our houses...