Approaches to conversion in medieval European rabbinic literature: From Ashkenaz to Sefarad
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
New York : The Michael Scharf Publication Trust of the Yeshiva University Press
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Abstract
Evidence for the successful conversion of non-Jews in Ashkenaz (northern France and Germany) during the High Middle Ages (1050-1300) can be found within the rabbinic literature of this period, an especially felicitous development given the virtual absence of any archival material that might shed light on this phenomenon. 1 R. Joel b. Isaac h a -Levi of Bonn (d. c. 1200, father of Rabiah and a noted German Tosafist and halakhist in his own right) describes an actual case of conversion in which the convert was able to embrace Judaism fully and completely: ''And the Spirit went forth from the Lord and rested in the heart of that man (ורוח נשא מאת ה וינח בלב האיש הזה), R. Abraham son of Abraham our father:'2
Description
Scholarly book chapter
Keywords
Jewish studies, rabbinic literature, medieval Jewish philosophy
Citation
Kanarfogel, E. (2015). Approaches to conversion in medieval European rabbinic literature: From Ashkenaz to Sefarad. In Adam Mintz and Marc D. Stern (eds.) "Conversion, intermarriage, and Jewish identity" (Orthodox Forum (23rd : 2012 : New York, N.Y.) (pp. 217-257). Brooklyn, NY : Michael Scharf Publication Trust of the Yeshiva University Press ; KTAV Publishing House : Urim Publications.