Christian Readings of Rabbinic Sources in Medieval Polemic

edited by Alexander Fidora and Matthias Lutz-Bachmann

Book cover: Christian Readings of Rabbinic Sources in Medieval Polemic

Extent: 300 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Jewish Studies, Medieval Studies, Religious Studies

Series: Religiöse Dynamiken in Geschichte und Gegenwart

Series volume number: 3

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(September 2024)

ISBN: 9783161639074

9.13 x 6.1 inches

Price: $118.00

In stock

The contributors to this volume examine how Christian authors of the Middle Ages engaged with Rabbinic Judaism. The focus is on the Latin translation of the Talmud, its condemnation as a supposedly heretical work, but also its significance within Christian apologetics.


While polemics and dialogue between Judaism and Christianity are as old as the Christian religion itself, different periods, trends and intensities in the relations between the faiths can be distinguished clearly. A significant landmark in this long and complex history is the Christian engagement with Rabbinic Judaism which, during the thirteenth century, led to the Latin translation of large sections of the Talmud, the most important Jewish post-biblical text. The contributors to this volume explore Christian attitudes towards the Talmud from the Talmud trial in Paris in 1240 up to the time of the Disputation of Tortosa from 1412-1414, covering authors such as Ramon Marti, Nicholas of Lyra, Abner of Burgos and Jeronimo of Santa Fe. The case studies featured shed new light on the Latin translation of the Talmud, its condemnation as an allegedly heretical work, but also on the significance of Rabbinic Judaism for Christian apologetics.

  • Edited by Alexander Fidora
  • Edited by Matthias Lutz-Bachmann