October 7, 3761

The beginning date of the Hebrew calendar, according to scholar Rabbi Yossi ben Halafta, a 2^nd century Rabbi. Adam & Evecreated (Year 1 of Jewish calendar).

3630

Seth born

3525

Enosh born

ca. 3500

Chalcolithic Period, first settlement

3435

Kenan born

3365

Mehalalel born

3300

Yered born

3300

First confirmed settlement of Gaza at Tell as-Sakan

3138

Enoch born

3074

Methusaleh born

2886

Lemech born

2831

Adam dies

ca. 2800

Early Dynastic period (Akkad)

2704

Noah born

ca. 2700-2400

Old Kingdom period (Egypt)

ca. 2500-2200

Ebla flourishes

ca. 2500

First houses built in Jerusalem

ca. 2300-2200

Priestess Enheduanna, first known author in the world

2203

Shem born

2150

The Flood

2100-1700

Middle Kingdom period (Egypt)

2000-1750

Old Babylonian period

2000-1700

Israel’s Patriarchal period

ca. 1900-1400

Old Assyrian period

1882

Terach born

1813

Abraham born

ca. 1850/1750/1700

Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Ishmael, famine forces Israelites to migrate to Egypt

1800

First Jerusalem city wall built

ca. 1792-1750

Hammurabi

ca. 1750-1200

Hittite empire

1765

The Tower of Babel

1743

Origin of traditions of the “Abrahamic covenant”

1713

Isaac born; Abraham circumcises himself; Sodom & Gomorrah destroyed

ca. 1700-1550

Hyksos in Egypt

1677

Isaac prepared as sacrifice; Sarah dies

1653

Jacob born

1638

Abraham dies

ca. 1600-1150

Kassite period (Babylonia)

1590

Isaac blesses Jacob instead of Esau.

ca. 1570-1085

New Kingdom period (Egypt)

1569

Jacob marries Leah

1565

Levi born

1562

Joseph born

1546

Joseph sold into slavery

1533

Isaac dies

1532

Joseph becomes viceroy of Egypt

1523

Jacob and his family join Joseph in Egypt

ca. 1500-1200

Ugaritic texts

1452

Joseph dies

1429

Egyptian enslavement of the Hebrews begins

ca. 1400-900

Middle Assyrian period

ca. 1400-1300

Amarna period (Egypt)

1393

Moses born.

1355

Joshua born.

1314

Moses sees the burning bush.

ca. 1300-1200

Mosaic period (Israel)

1280

Exodus from Egypt, Sinai Torah, Canaan Entry

1240

After setting up the Ark at Shiloh near Shechem (Nablus), Joshua launches foray into Jerusalem (Joshua 10:23, 15:63)

ca. 1200

Sea Peoples invade Egypt and Syro-Palestine

ca. 1200-1050/1000

Period of the Judges (Israel)

ca. 1200-1000

Jerusalem is a Canaanite city

ca. 1150-900

Middle Babylonian period:

ca. 1106

Deborah judges Israel.

ca. 1100

The Philistines take over Gaza. They called it Philistia (from which the modern name Palestine is derived), and made it one of their civilization’s most important cities.

ca. 1050-450

Hebrew prophets (Samuel-Malachi)

ca. 1000-587

Monarchical period in Israel

ca. 1030-1010

Saul (transitional king)

ca. 1010-970

David conquers the Jebusites and makes Jerusalem his capital

ca. 970-931

Solomon builds the First Temple on Mount Moriah

ca. 931

Secession of Northern Kingdom (Israel) from Southern Kingdom (Judah)

931-913

Rehoboam rules Judah

931-910

Jeroboam I rules Israel, choses Shechem as his first capital, later moves it to Tirzah

913-911

Abijah rules Judah

911-870

Asa rules Juda

910-909

Nadab (son of Jeroboam) rules Israel

909-886

Baasha kills Nadab and rules Israel

900-612

Neo-Assyrian period

886-885

Elah, son of Baasha, rules Israel

885

Zimri kills Elah, but reigns just seven days before committing suicide, Omri chosen as King of Israel

885-880(?)

War between Omri and Tibni

885-874

Omri kills Tibni, rules Israel

879

Omri moves capital of Israel from Tirzah to Samaria

874-853

Ahab, Omri’s son, is killed in battle, Jezebel reigns as Queen. Athaliah, Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter, marries Jehoram, crown prince of Judah

870-848

Jehoshapha rules Judah

853-851

Ahaziah, son of Ahab, rules Israel, dies in accident

750-725

Israelite Prophets Amos, Hosea, Isaiah

722/721

Northern Kingdom (Israel) destroyed by Assyrians; 10 tribesexiled (10 lost tribes)

720

Ahaz, King of Judah dismantles Solomon’s bronze vessels and places a private Syrian altar in the Temple

716

Hezekiah, King of Jerusalem, with help of God and the prophetIsaiah resists Assyrian attempt to capture Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32). Wells and springs leading to the city are stopped

701

Assyrian ruler Sennacherib beseiges Jerusalem

612-538

Neo-Babylonian (“Chaldean”) period

620

Josiah (Judean King) and “Deuteronomic Reforms”

ca. 600-580

Judean Prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel

587/586

Southern Kingdom (Judah) and First Temple destroyed-Babylonian exile

ca. 550

Judean Prophet “Second Isaiah”

541

First Jews return from Babylon in small numbers to rebuild the city and its walls. Seventy years of exile terminated. (Daniel 9,Haggai 2:18-19)

539

Persian ruler Cyrus the Great conquers Babylonian Empire

ca. 230-146 B.C.E.

Coming of Rome to the east Mediterranean.

142-129 B.C.E.

Jewish autonomy under Hasmoneans.

63 B.C.E.

Rome (Pompey) annexes the land of Israel.

37-4 B.C.E.

Herod the Great (Jewish Roman ruler of the land of Israel).

34 B.C.E.

Mark Antony deeds the city of Gaza to his lover, Queen Cleopatra.

37 B.C.E.

Herod captures Jerusalem, has Antigonus II executed, and marries the Hasmonean princess Mariamne I.

20 B.C.E.

Herod creates Temple Mount and begins to rebuild the Temple inJerusalem. Project continues until 72 C.E..

ca. 4 B.C.E.-ca. 30 C.E.

Joshua/Jesus “the Christ.”

MODERN ERA

Hillel & Shammai (Jewish sages).

6 C.E.

Rome establishes direct rule of prefects in Judea.

ca. 13 B.C.E.- 41 C.E.

Philo Judaeus of Alexandria.

ca. 30 C.E.

Jesus is crucified.

36-64 C.E.

Paul “the apostle” (Jewish “Christian”).

ca. 37-100 C.E.

Josephus (Jewish leader, historian).

ca. 40 C.E.

Gamliel/Gamaliel I (Jewish leader-scholar).

ca. 50-125 C.E.

Christian Testament (NT) writings.

66-73 C.E.

First Jewish Revolt against Rome.

69 C.E.

Vespasian gives Yochanan ben Zakkai permission to establish a Jewish center for study at Yavneh that will become the hub for rabbinic Judaism.

70

Destruction of Jerusalem and the second Temple.

December 21, 72

Thomas the Apostle is murdered by Hindu priests of Kali.

73

Last stand of Jews at Masada.

ca. 90-100

Gamaliel II excludes sectarians (including Christians) from thesynagogues.

ca. 90-150

Writings (third and last division of Jewish Scriptures) discussed and accepted as sacred scripture.

114-117

Jewish Revolts against Rome in Cyprus, Egypt and Cyrene. The Great Synagogue and the Great Library in Alexandria are destroyed as well as the entire Jeiwsh community of Cyprus. Afterwards, Jews were forbidden on Cyprus.

120-135

Rabbi Akiva active in consolidating Rabbinic Judaism.

132-135

Bar Kokhba rebellion (Second Jewish Revolt). Roman forces kill an estimated half a million Jews and destroy 985 villages and 50 fortresses.

136

Hadrian renames Jerusalem Aelia Capatolina and builds a Pagan temple over the the site of the Second Temple. He also forbids Jews to dwell there. Judea (the southern portion of what is now called the West Bank) was renamed Palaestina in an attempt to minimize Jewish identification with the land of Israel.

138-161

Antoninus Pius, Hadrian’s sucessor, repeals many of the previously instituted harsh policies towards Jews.

193-211

Roman emperor Lucious Septimus Severus treats Jews relatively well, allowing them to participate in public offices and be exempt from formalities contrary to Judaism. However, he did not allow the Jews to convert anyone

ca. 200

Mishnah (Jewish oral law) compiled/edited under Judah the Prince.

200-254

Origen (Christian scholar, biblical interpreter).

203

Because of his health, Judah HaNasi relocates the center of Jewish learning from Beth Shearim to Sepphoris.

212

Roman Emperor Caracalla allows free Jews within the empire to become full Roman citizens.

220

Babylonian Jewish Academy founded at Sura by Rab.

220-470

Amoraim, or Mishna scholars, flourish. The Amoraim’s commentary, along with the Mishna, comprises the Talmud.

222-235

Emperor Alexander Severus allowed for a revival of Jewish rights, including permission to visit Jerusalem.

240-276

Rise of Mani/Manichaean World Religion synthesis.

ca. 250

Babylonian Jews flourish (as does Manichaeism) under Persian King Shapur I

250-330

Early development of Christian monasticism in Egypt.

263-339

Eusebius (Christian author, historian)

303

Violent persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian.

To 311

Sporadic persecution of Christianity by Rome.

306

One of the first Christian councils, the Council of Elvira, forbids intermarriage and social interaction with Jews

312/313

Emperor Constantine embraces Christianity, announces Edict of Toleration

315

Code of Constantine limits rights of non-Christians, is Constantine’s first anti-Jewish act.

368

Jerusalem Talmud compiled.

66-73

First Jewish Revolt against Rome.

69

Vespasian gives Yochanan ben Zakkai permission to establish a Jewish center for study at Yavneh that will become the hub for rabbinic Judaism.

70

Destruction of Jerusalem and the second Temple,

73

Last stand of Jews at Masada.

ca. 90-100

Gamaliel II excludes sectarians (including Christians) from thesynagogues.

ca. 90-150

Writings (third and last division of Jewish Scriptures) discussed and accepted as sacred scripture.

114-117

Jewish Revolts against Rome in Cyprus, Egypt and Cyrene. The Great Synagogue and the Great Library in Alexandria are destroyed as well as the entire Jeiwsh community of Cyprus. Afterwards, Jews were forbidden on Cyprus.

120-135

Rabbi Akiva active in consolidating Rabbinic Judaism.

132-135

Bar Kokhba rebellion (Second Jewish Revolt). Roman forces kill an estimated half a million Jews and destroy 985 villages and 50 fortresses.

136

Hadrian renames Jerusalem Aelia Capatolina and builds a Pagan temple over the the site of the Second Temple. He also forbids Jews to dwell there. Judea (the southern portion of what is now called the West Bank) was renamed Palaestina in an attempt to minimize Jewish identification with the land of Israel.

138-161

Antoninus Pius, Hadrian’s sucessor, repeals many of the previously instituted harsh policies towards Jews.

193-211

Roman emperor Lucious Septimus Severus treats Jews relatively well, allowing them to participate in public offices and be exempt from formalities contrary to Judaism. However, he did not allow the Jews to convert anyone

ca. 200

Mishnah (Jewish oral law) compiled/edited under Judah the Prince.

203

Because of his health, Judah HaNasi relocates the center of Jewish learning from Beth Shearim to Sepphoris.

212

Roman Emperor Caracalla allows free Jews within the empire to become full Roman citizens.

220

Babylonian Jewish Academy founded at Sura by Rab.

220-470

Amoraim, or Mishna scholars, flourish. The Amoraim’s commentary, along with the Mishna, comprises the Talmud.

222-235

Emperor Alexander Severus allowed for a revival of Jewish rights, including permission to visit Jerusalem.

ca. 250

Babylonian Jews flourish (as does Manichaeism) under Persian King Shapur I.

306

One of the first Christian councils, the Council of Elvira, forbids intermarriage and social interaction with Jews.

315

Code of Constantine limits rights of non-Christians, is Constantine’s first anti-Jewish act.

359

Hillel creates a new calendar based on the lunar year to replace the dispersed Sanhedrin, which previously announced the festivals.

368

Jerusalem Talmud compiled.

370-425

Hillel founds Beit Hillel, a school emphasizing tolerance and patience. Hillel, a descendant of King David, is one of the first scholars to devise rules to interpret the Torah.

410

Rome sacked by Visigoths.

425

Jewish office of Nasi/Prince abolished by Rome.

426

Babylonian Talmud compiled.

439

Theodosis enacts a code prohibiting Jews from holding important positions involving money. He also reenacts a law forbidding the building of new synagogues.

500

Babylonian Talmud recorded. After conquering Italy in 493, Ostrogoth king Theodoric issues an edict safeguarding the Jews and ensuring their right to determine civil disputes and freedom of worship.

325

Christian First Ecumenical Council, at Nicea (Asia Minor), changes the date of Easter from Passover and forbids Jews from owning Christian slaves or converting pagans to Judaism.

330

Jerusalem becomes part of Constantine’s Byzantine Empire.

ca. 325-420

Jerome (Christian author, translator).

339

Constantine forbids intermarriage with Jews and the circumcision of heathen or Christian slaves, declaring death as the punishment.

354-430

Augustine (Christian author in North Africa).

359

Hillel creates a new calendar based on the lunar year to replace the dispersed Sanhedrin, which previously announced the festivals.

368

Jerusalem Talmud compiled.

370-425

Hillel founds Beit Hillel, a school emphasizing tolerance and patience. Hillel, a descendant of King David, is one of the first scholars to devise rules to interpret the Torah.

380/391

Christianity becomes THE religion of Roman Empire.

401

Christianity takes root in Gaza thanks to Bishop Porphyry.

410

Rome sacked by Visigoths.

415

St. Cyril, the Bishop of Alexandria, champions violence against the city’s Jews and incites the Greeks to kill or expel them. Some Jews return within a few years, but many return only after theMuslims conquer Egypt.

425

Jewish office of Nasi/Prince abolished by Rome.

426

Babylonian Talmud compiled.

439

Theodosis enacts a code prohibiting Jews from holding important positions involving money. He also reenacts a law forbidding the building of new synagogues.

451

Christian Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon.

500

After conquering Italy in 493, Ostrogoth king Theodoric issues an edict safeguarding the Jews and ensuring their right to determine civil disputes and freedom of worship.

501

An earthquake hits Israel, partially destroying Acre and incuring damage as far east as Jersusalem.

511

Rebellion leader Mar Zutra usurps power from Kobad the Zenduk, establishing an independant Jewish state in Babylon that would last for seven years, until Zutra’s forces defeated Zutra’s army, killing him and instituted a harsh policy toward the remaining Jews.

516

Southern Arabian king Ohu Nuwas adopts Judaism, possibly as a rampart against the spread of Christianity. King Eleboas of Abyssinia, with the help of Justin I, later defeated Nuwas.

519

After Ravenna residents burnt down local synagogues, Ostrogoth ruler Theodoric orders the Italian town to rebuild the synagogues at their own expense.

587

Recared of Spain adopts Catholicism, banning Jews from slave ownership, intermarriage and holding positions of authority. Recared also declares that children of mixed marriages be raised Christian.

570

Birth of Prophet Muhammad, Makkah.

590

Pope Gregory the Great formulates the official Papal policy towards Jews, objecting to forced baptism and tolerating them according to the previous council’s regulations.

ca. 570-632

Muhammad (“the Prophet” of Islam).

ca. 610

Prophetic call and start of Quranic revelations.

614

Persian invasion, Jews allowed to controll Jerusalem.

617

Persians change policy toward Jews, forbid them from living within three miles of Jerusalem.

622

The hijra (emigration) from Mecca to Medina.

624-627

Muhammad attacks Jewish Arabian tribes for refusing to convert to Islam. Eventually the Southern Arabian tribes are destroyed.

626

While proselytizing Arabia, Muhammad captures the Banu Kurara tribe and forces the group of about 600 to chose between conversion and death. After spending all night praying, all but three or four Banu Kurarans are beheaded.

627-629

Emperor Heraclius breaks his promise of protection to Jews, massacring any he found and forbidding them from entering Jerusalem. Hundreds of Jews were killed and thousands exhiled to Egypt, ending the Jewish towns in the Galilee and Judea. Heraclius’ decree remained in effect until the Muslim conquest ofJerusalem.

630

Capitulation of Mecca, rededication of Kaba.

632

The Jewish tribe Kaibar defends itself against Muslim forces, negotiating a settlement in which half of their crops would go to Mohammed in exchange for peace. Other Jewish tribes, including Fadattr, Tedma and Magna reached similar deals.

590-604

Pope Gregory the Great.

ca. 600-1300

Period of the Jewish Rabbinic Geonim.

632-661

Muhammad dies, creating the four “rightly guided caliphs” ofIslam.

634

Gaza becomes the first city in Palestine to be captured by Muslims. Many Christians and Jews remained despite the Muslim takeover.

637

Muslim forces capture Caesarea, forcing the city’s estimated 100,000 Jews to follow the Pact of Omar, which meant they had to pray quietly, not build new synagogues and not prevent Jews from converting to Islam. The Jews were also forbidden from riding horses and holding judicial or civil posts, and were forced to wear a yellow patch for identification.

638

Caliph Umar conquers Jerusalem and Jews are permitted to return to the city under Islam.

661

Assassination of Ali (last of the four).

661-750

Umayyad Dynasty of Islam in Damascus (Syria).

669, 674

Muslim Attacks on Christian Constantinople.

680

Massacre of Ali’s son Husayn and Shiites (Iraq).

685

Muslims extend Jerusalem and rebuild walls and roads.

692

Dome of the Rock built on site of First and Second Temples by Caliph Abd el-Malik.

November 9, 694

The 17th Council of Toledo convenes, passing a wide-ranging array of restrictions on the local Jewish community.

711

Muslim Forces Attack Spain Successfully.

715

Al-Aqsa Mosque built, Jerusalem.

732

Islam repulsed at Tours (France), gateway to Europe.

750

Abbasid caliphate founded.

ca. 760

Karaism founded (Jewish reaction to Rabbinic Judaism).

762

Baghdad founded by Abbasids.

767

Anan Ben David, organizer of the Karaite sect that only believed in the literal Biblical writings and not the Oral law.

742-814

Charlemagne, French Holy Roman Emperor, protected and helped develop Jewish culture in his kingdom, seeing Jews as an asset.

740-1259

Jewish Kingdom of Khazar lasts over 500 years, defending itself from the Muslims, Byzantines and Russians, finally subdued by Mongols under Genghis Khan.

750-1258

Abbasid Dynasty of Islam in Baghdad (Iraq)—the “golden age” of Islamic culture.

?-767

Abu Hanifa (Muslim theologian and jurist in Iraq).

710-795

Malik ibn Anas (jurist, collector of hadiths, Medina).

800

Caliph Harun al-Rashid rules in “1001 Nights” style.

ca. 800-950

Mutazilite rationalism developed and debated.

807

Harun Al Rashid, Caliph of the Abbasids forces Baghdad Jews to wear a yellow badge and Christians to wear a blue badge.

825

Caliph Mamun sponsors translations of Greek learning into Arabic (Arabic science flourishes).

814-840

Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pius, who succeeded his father as king, expanded his father’s positive policies towards the Jews, like changing “market day” from Saturday (Shabbat) to Sunday.

855

Ibn Hanbal (jurist, collector of hadiths, Baghdad).

868

Palestine annexed to Egypt.

870, 875

Bukhari and Muslim (collectors of hadiths).

874

Shiite “twelvers” arise.

?-935

Al-Ashari (ex-Mutazilite Muslim scholar).

882-942

Saadia Gaon (Rabbinic Jewish sage).

942

Office of the Exilarch was abolished after seven centuries, primarily because of dissention with the Muslims. David ben-Zaccai held the postion.

922

Execution of Hallaj, radical Persian Muslim mystic/sufi.

ca. 950-1150

“Golden Age” in Spain (Islamic Umayyad dynasty).

969

Founding of Cairo (and soon thereafter Azhar University) by the Islamic Shiite Fatimid dynasty in Egypt.

969

Caliph al-Aziz defeated the Turkish princes at Ramleh, marking the beginning of Fatamid rule over Eretz-Israel.

972

Al-Azhar University Founded, Cairo.

ca. 1000

Rabbi Gershon of Mainz, Germany, publishes a ban on bigamy. This marks the beginning of Ashkenazi (Franco-German) halachic creativity.

1001

Ibn al-Bawwab produces earliest exist Qur’an copy on paper, Baghdad.

990-1055

Diplomat and poet, as well as vizier to King Habus of Granadaand author of a Biblical Hebrew dictionary, Samuel Ibn Nagrela.

1008

Egyptian Caliph Hakkim, who claimed to be divine, pressured allnon-Muslims to convert and forced all Jews to wear a “golden calf” around their necks.

1009

Oldest existing text of full Hebrew Bible is written.

1016

Earthquake causes structrual damage on Temple Mount.

1021-1069

Messianic poet and philosopher, Solomon Ibn Gabirol.

1027

Samuel Hanagid becomes vizier of Granada. He is the first of the poets of the Golden Age of Spain, and symbolic of both the political power and literary creativity of Jews in Spain at the time.

1032

Rebel Abul Kamal Tumin conquered Fez and decimated the Jewish community, killing 6,000 Jews.

1066

Final split (“schism”) between Latin (Roman) and Greek (Byzantine) Classical Christian Churches: 1053/54 William the Conqueror (Norman) takes England.

1056

Abraham Ibn Daud: On Saumuel Ha-Nagid, Vizier of Granada.

1040-1105

Rashi (Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac; Jewish sage): .

1058-1111

Ghazali (Persian Muslim scholar and mystic): .

1065-1173

Benjamin of Tudela, Jewish traveller and historian, who wrote a famous journal called Sefer Hamassa’ot (Book of Travels).

1070

Rashi, a French-Jewish thinker, completes his commentaries on most parts of the Bible.

1070-1139

Poet and philiospher Moses Ibn Ezra.

1071

Seljuk occupation of Jerusalem.

1099

First Crusade Begins rule in Jerusalem.

1100

The Crusaders seize Gaza from the Fatimid Caliphs, returning it to Christian rule.

1181

Philip expels Jews from France.

1187

Salah al-Din returns Jerusalem to Muslim rule.

1192

Philip expands his kingdom and allows Jews to return, for a fee and under strict conditions.

610

Visigothic ruler Sesbut prohibits Judaism after several anti-Jewish edicts are ignored. Exiled Jews return to Byzantine Spainunder Sesbut’s successor, Swintilla.

614

Persian General Romizanes captures Jerusalem and allows Jews to run the city. At this time, aproximately 150,000 Jews are living in 43 settlements in Eretz-Israel.

617

The Persians renege on their promises and forbid Jews to settle within a three mile radius of Jerusalem.

638

Although Chintilla decrees that only Catholics are permitted to live in Visogoth Spain, many Jews continue to live there.

638

Islamic conquest of Jerusalem.

682

Visigoth King Erwig continues oppression of Jews, making it illegal to practice any Jewish rites and pressing for the conversion or emigration of the remaining Jews.

691

First account of Jews in England.

712

Jews help Muslim invaders capture Spain, ending Visogoth rule and beginning a 150 year period of relative peace, in which Jews were free to study and practice religion as they wished.

722

In the wake of a narrow military defeat over Muslim forces, Leo III of Constantinople decided his nation’s weakness lay in its heterogenious population, and began the forcible conversion of the Jews, as well as the “New Christians.” Most converted under Leo III clandestinely continued their Jewish practices.

1040

Birth of Rashi.

1066

In the wake of the Norman conquest of England, Jews left Normandy and settled in London and later in York, Norwich, Oxford, Bristol and Lincoln.

1078

Pope Gregory VII prohibited Jews from holding offices in Christendom.

1086-1145

The greatest Hebrew poet of his time, Judah Halevi.

1090

Iban Iashufin, King of the Almoravides, captured Granada and destroyed the Jewish community, the survivors fled to Toledo.

1095

Henry IV of Germany, who granted Jews favorable conditions whenever possible, issued a charter to the Jews and a decree against forced baptism.

1131

Birth of Rambam.

1171

In the town of Blois, southwest of Paris, Jews are falsely accused of committing ritual murder ((killing of a Christian child) andblood libel. The adult Jews of the city are arrested and most are executed after refusing to convert. Thirty-one or 32 of the Jews are killed. The Jewish children are forcibly baptized.

1210

Group of 300 French and English rabbis make aliyah and settle inIsrael.

1215

The Church’s Fourth Lateran Council decrees that Jews be differentiated from others by their type of clothing to avoid intercourse between Jews and Christians. Jews are sometimes required to wear a badge; sometimes a pointed hat.

1227-1274

Christian theologian, who called for the slavery of all Jews, Saint Thomas Aquinas.

1229

King Henry III of England forced Jews to pay half the value of thier property in taxes.

1242

Burning of the Talmud in Paris.

1244

Tartars capture Jerusalem.

1253

King Henry III of England ordered Jewish worship in synagogueto be held quietly so that Christians passing by do not have to hear it. e also ordered that Jews may not employ Christian nurses or maids, nor may any Jew prevent another from converting to Christianity.

1254

French King Louis IX expelled the Jews from France, ending the Tosaphists period. Most Jews went to Germany and further east.

1255

Seeing himself as the “master of the Jews,” King Henry II of England transferred his rights to the Jews to his brother, Richard, for 5,000 marks.

1267

In a special session, the Vienna city council forced Jews to wear the Pileum cornutum, a cone-shaped headress prevelent in many medieval woodcuts illustrating Jews. This form of distinctive dress was an additon to badge Jews were forced to wear.

1267

Ramban (Nachmanides) arrives in Israel.

1275

King Edward of England banned usury and unsuccessfully encouraged Jews in agriculture, crafts and local trades. He also forced Jews over the age of seven to wear an indentifying badge.

1282

The Archbishop of Canterbury, John Pectin, ordered all London synagogues to closed and prohibited Jewish physicians from practicing on Christians.

1285

Blood libel in Munich, Germany results in the death of 68 Jews. An additional 180 Jews are burned alive at the synagogue.

1287

A mob in Oberwesel, Germany kills 40 Jewish men, women and children after a ritual murder accusation.

1290

Bowing political pressure, English King Edward I expels the Jews from England. They were only allowed to take what they could carry and most went to France, paying for thier passage only to be robbed and cast overboard by the ship captains.

1306

Philip IV orders all Jews expelled from France, with their property to be sold at public auction. Some 125,000 Jews are forced to leave.

1321

Similar to accusations made during the Black Plague, Jews were accused of encouraging lepers to poison Christian wells inFrance. An estimated five thousand Jews were killed before the king, Philip the Tall, admitted the Jews were innocent.

1321

Henry II of Castile forces Jews to wear yellow badges.

1322

Charles IV of France expels all French Jews without the one year period he had promised them.

1348-1349

Much of Europe blames the Black Plague on the Jews and tortured to confess that they poisoned the wells. Despite the pleas of innocence of Pope Clement VI, the accusations resulted in the destruction of over 60 large and 150 small Jewish communities.

1348

Basle burns 600 Jews at the stake and forcibly baptizes 140 children, expelling the city’s other Jews. The city’s Christian residents convert the synagogue into a church and destroy the Jewish cemetery.

1348

Pope Clement VI issues an edict repudiating the libel against Jews, saying that they too were suffering from the Plague.

1360

Samuel ben Meir Abulafia is arrested and tortured to death by King Pedro without any explination. The king also confiscated his great wealth.

1385-1386

German Emperor Wenceslaus arrests Jews living in the Swabian League, a group of free cities in S. Germany, and confiscates their books. Later, he expelled the Jews of Strassburg after a community debate.

1386

Emperor Wenceslaus expelles the Jews from Strassbourg and confiscate their property.

1389

After a priest was hit with some sand from a few small Jewish boys playing in the street, he insisted that the Jewish community was plotting against him and began a virulent campaign against the city’s Jews, resulting in the massacre of thousands and the destruction of the city’s synagogue and Jewish cemetery. King Wenceslaus refused to condemn the act, insisting that the responsibility lay with the Jews for going outside during the Holy Week.

1389

Pope Boniface continues the policy of Clement VI, forbidding the Christians to harm Jews, destroy their cemeteries or forcibly baptize them.

1391

Ferrand Martinez, archdeacon of Ecija, begins a campaign against Spanish Jewry, killing over 10,000 and destroying the Jewish quarter in Barcelona. The campaign quickly spreads throughout Spain, except for Granada, and destroys Jewish communities in Valencia and Palma De Majorca.

1391

King Pedro I orders Spain not to harm the remaining Jews and decrees that synagogues not be converted into churches.

1392

King Pedro I announces his compliance with the Bull of Pope Boniface IX, protecting Jews from baptism. He extends this edict to Spanish Jewish refugees.

1415

Benedict XIII bans the study of the Talmud in any form, institutes forced Christian sermons and tries to restrict Jewish life completely.

1420

Pope Martin V favorably reinstates old privleges of the Jews and orders that no child under the age of 12 can be forcibly baptized without parental consent.

1420

All Jews are expelled from Lyons, including the refugees from Paris who were expelled 20 years earliers. Jews now only remain in Provence (until 1500) and in the possessions of the Holy See.

1422

Pope Martin V issues a bull reminding Christians that Christianity was derived from Judaism and warns the Friars not to incite against the Jews. The Bull was withdrawn the following year, alleging that the Jews of Rome attained the Bull by fraud.

1480

Inquisition established in Spain.