New researches in Islamic humanities studies

New researches in Islamic humanities studies

Jewish-Christian debates in the Middle Ages with a look at the Barcelona debate: from origins and causes to political and social pressures during this period

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Abstract
Research Objective: This study examines the role of religious debates in the Middle Ages as a tool for controlling the Jewish community and justifying anti-Semitic policies. The main objective is to analyze how the church used these debates to limit the influence of Jews and legitimize actions such as their trials and expulsions.
Research Method: This study, with a descriptive-analytical approach and citing historical sources, examines the relationship between the accusations made against Jews (including ritual murders, usury, insulting Christian sanctities, and witchcraft) and the role of religious debates in exacerbating these accusations.
Findings: The results show that accusations against Jews paved the way for punitive actions such as their trials and expulsions, and religious debates were used as a propaganda tool to justify these policies. Also, the surviving texts of these debates, written by Jews, do not accurately reflect the realities of that period due to historical manipulations and propaganda purposes, and are mostly polemical and theological in nature.
Conclusion: The church in the Middle Ages used religious debates to limit Jews, both in the religious and socio-political spheres. These debates served not only as a means of intellectual confrontation, but also as a prelude to practical anti-Semitic actions. Also, the analysis of the content of these texts shows that they should be examined with caution and within the framework of the propaganda goals of that period.

Graphical Abstract

Jewish-Christian debates in the Middle Ages with a look at the Barcelona debate: from origins and causes to political and social pressures during this period
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