In a message dated 97-10-20 15:52:35 EDT, you write:
> There is a Renaissance interest in the Kabbalah. Reuchlin was among the
> interested parties; see Obereman, Roots of Antisemitism. Of course the
> exotic always has its appeal, like using hieroglyphs to decorate a
> restaurant (I could name one here in Baltimore which does that).
>
> tom izbicki
>
This is what has me confused, so help me with the transition. I read Saint
Augustine and assume this is a fair reflection of medieval thinking. He
seems to have nothing good to say about Jews. He's interested in what he
feels are prophecies of Christ in the OT, but that's all. What is the
background for Renaissance interest in Kabbalah? Did the lot of Jews improve
in the Renaissance, or was there more religious toleration? Doesn't seem
so, given the expulsion from Spain. Was Renaissance interest in Kabbalah,
then, about comparable to Augustine's interest in the OT? a positive
interest in a book combined with essentially negative feelings to the people
who produced the book?
This kind of split sensibility is, of course, very common. Like admiring
African art but being racist in one's dealings with black people.
BTW Venice has a ghetto advertised as the oldest in Europe, dated 1516. Can
this be? sounds like a late date.
BTW Tom, I saw your name on the program for the St. Louis conference. I'd
love to see your paper. May I?
pat sloane
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