Essay:
Racism a Short History
(class A3)
DOCUMENT 1 of 2
Note: editors' remarks in []
Las Siete Partidas: Laws on Jews, 1265
(edited excerpts)
[Marcus Introduction] Las siete partidas, the Seven-Part Code, is
one of the most remarkable law codes of medieval times. The code,
written in the Castilian vernacular, was compiled about 1265, under
the supervision of Alfonso X, the Wise (1252-1284), of Castile.
Its laws, however, did not go into effect until 1348, and then only
with certain reservations.
TITLE XXIV: CONCERNING THE JEWS
Jews are a people, who, although they do not believe
in the religion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, yet, the great Christian
sovereigns have always permitted them to live among them....
LAW I. WHAT THE WORD JEW MEANS, AND WHENCE THIS TERM IS DERIVED
A party who believes in, and adheres to the law of Moses is called
a Jew, according to the strict signification of the term, as well
as one who is circumcised, and observes the other precepts commanded
by his religion. This name is derived from the tribe of Judah which
was nobler and more powerful than the others, and, also possessed
any other advantage, because the king of the Jews had to be selected
from that tribe, and its members always received the first wounds
in battle. The reason that the Church, emperors, kings and princes
permitted the Jews to dwell among them and with Christians, is because
they always lived, as it were, in captivity...
LAW II. IN WHAT WAY JEWS SHOULD PASS THEIR LIVES AMONG CHRISTIANS;
WHAT THINGS THEY SIIOULD NOT MAKE USE OF OR PRACTICE, ACCORDING
TO OUR RELIGION; AND WHAT PENALTY THOSE DESERVE WHO ACT CONTRARY
TO ITS ORDINANCES
Jews should pass their lives among Christians quietly and without
disorder, practicing their own religious rites, and not speaking
ill of the faith of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which Christians acknowledge.
Moreover, a Jew should be very careful to avoid preaching to, or
converting any Christian, to the end that he may become a Jew, by
exalting his own belief and disparaging ours. Whoever violates this
law shall be put to death and lose all his property. And because
we have heard it said that in some places Jews celebrated, and still
celebrate Good Friday, which commemorates the Passion of Our Lord
Jesus Christ, by way of contempt: stealing children and fastening
them to crosses, and making images of wax and crucifying them, when
they cannot obtain children; we order that, hereafter, if in any
part of our dominions anything like this is done, and can be proved,
all persons who were present when the act was committed shall be
seized, arrested and brought before the king; and after the king
ascertains that they are guilty, he shall cause them to be put to
death in a disgraceful manner, no matter how many there may be.
[Christians already -- and falsely -- believed that Jews kidnapped
and killed Christian children for religious purposes.]
We also forbid any Jew to dare to leave his house or his quarter
on Good Friday, but they must all remain shut up until Saturday
morning; and if they violate this regulation, we decree that they
shall not be entitled to reparation for any injury or dishonor inflicted
upon them by Christians. [Christians were prone to commit violence
on Good Friday, the anniversary of the crucifixion of Jesus.]
LAW III, NO JEW CAN HOLD ANY OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT BY WHICH HE MAY
BE ABLF TO OPPRESS CHRISTIANS
Jews were formerly highly honored, and enjoyed privileges above
all other races, for they alone were called the People of God. But
for the reason that they disowned Him who had honored them and given
them privileges; and instead of showing Him reverence humiliated
Him, by shamefully putting Him to death on the cross; it was proper
and just that, on account of the great crime and wickedness which
they committed, they should forfeit the honors and privileges which
they enjoyed; and therefore from the day when they crucified Our
Lord Jesus Christ they never had either king or priests among themselves,
as they formerly did. The emperors, who in former times were lords
of all the world, considered it fitting and right that, on account
of the treason which they committed in killing their lord, they
should lose all said honors and privileges, so that no Jew could
ever afterwards hold an honorable position, or a public office by
means of which he might, in any way, oppress a Christian.
...
LAW VI. JEWS WHO BECOME CHRISTIANS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO COMPULSION;
WHAT ADVANTAGE A JEW HAS WHO BECOME A CHRISTIAN; AND WHAT PENALTY
OTHER JEWS DESERVE WHO DO HIM HARM
No force or compulsion shall be employed in any way against a Jew
to induce him to become a Christian; but Christians should convert
him to the faith of Our Lord Jesus Christ by means of the texts
of the Holy Scriptures, and by kind words, for no one can love or
appreciate a service which is done him by compulsion. We also decree
... they [Jews who convert] can hold all offices and dignities which
other Christians can do.
...
SOURCE: Jacob Marcus, The Jew in the Medieval World: A Sourcebook,
315-1791, (New York: JPS, 1938), 34-42 Later printings of this text
(e.g. by Atheneum, 1969, 1972, 1978) do not indicate that the copyright
was renewed).
Note for students: Marcus -- a modern historuan -- did not write
the above law, rather he collected and edited a book that contains
the text of the orginal laws.