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                                  THE

                            JEWS AND MOORS

                                  IN

                                SPAIN.

                                  BY

                         RABBI JOS. KRAUSKOPF.


                            [Illustration]


                             KANSAS CITY:

             M. BERKOWITZ & CO., PUBLISHERS AND PRINTERS.

                                 1887.




                          _Copyright, 1886_,

                         BY JOSEPH KRAUSKOPF.

                        _All Rights Reserved._




                                  TO

                      THE MEMBERS OF CONGREGATION

                             B'NAI JEHUDAH

                                  OF

                        KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI,

                IN DEEP APPRECIATION OF THEIR KINDNESS

                           AND ENCOURAGEMENT

                              THIS VOLUME

                      IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.




PREFACE.


This volume is a reprint of newspaper reports of a series of lectures
delivered by the author from the pulpit of Congregation B'nai Jehudah,
Kansas City, Mo., during the Fall and Winter of 1885-1886.

The lectures were prepared to fulfill the requirements of popular
discourses, and designed to convey information upon a highly important
epoch of the world's history, that is almost neglected in English
literature.

The thought of publishing these lectures in book form was utterly
foreign to the author throughout their preparation, until an urgent
solicitation from very many persons, both Jews and Gentiles, in all
parts of this country, whose interest in these lectures was aroused by
their wide-spread republication by the Press, made it a duty.

  _Kansas City, Mo., January, 1887._

The following are two of the many letters addressed to the author,
requesting him to have his lectures on "THE JEWS AND MOORS IN SPAIN"
published in book form.


              LETTER FROM HON. T. T. CRITTENDEN,

                 Ex-Governor of the State of Missouri.


                                      KANSAS CITY, MO., MARCH 29, 1886.

RABBI JOSEPH KRAUSKOPF.

DEAR SIR:--Having read with pleasure and edification the series of
lectures delivered in the Synagogue, Kansas City, Mo., entitled "THE
JEWS AND MOORS IN SPAIN," in which you treat of the social, political,
religious and intellectual life of these Oriental nations, may I
inquire if it is your purpose to have them published in book form?

I think the lectures too valuable, too full of prolonged historic
research and thought to live only one day in the columns of a daily
newspaper. Even if they were designed "to adorn a tale or point a
moral" of the great race to which you belong, whose history commenced
with Abraham and will end with that of the human race, still the
history of that race was (and is) so intimately interlaced with the
history of the other races for the intervening centuries, that the
lectures are in part, so much the history of the other races, that they
can be read and studied by all men without prejudice or animosity. One
thing is certain, you have in the lectures divested history of much of
its dry and useless details, and make it a thrilling romance of facts,
presented in the simplest and purest Anglo-Saxon language.

I know not how others view the lectures, only speak this for myself--no
library is complete without the History of the Jewish race, and no
history of that race for the period covered, is more comprehensive,
truthful and impartial than that presented in these lectures. I think
the book would find a ready sale in all thinking, reading communities.

                                            Very Truly Yours,

                                                   THOS. T. CRITTENDEN.


                  LETTER FROM ARNOLD KREKEL,

        Judge of the U. S. Court, Western District of Missouri.


                                   KANSAS CITY, MO, APRIL 2, 1886.

RABBI JOSEPH KRAUSKOPF.

MY DEAR SIR:--Having attended a number of your lectures on "THE HISTORY
OF THE JEWS AND MOORS IN SPAIN," and read such as I did not hear,
allow me to give expression to my views regarding the same. Aside from
the interest the student of history must always feel in that part of
history of which your lectures treat, the manner of treatment specially
interested me. Relating historical facts, too often becomes dry and
irksome, and it requires more than ordinary skill of presentation to
make the subject interesting and attractive. In this you have fully
succeeded by interweaving with the facts those matters which enliven
the picture. A knowledge of the social condition of a people, and
the relation to which they stand to their age, enables us to judge
of their worth and the influence they exercised. Your lectures, as
a whole, presented a life-breathing social picture of the times and
people, and as the civilization of Europe was largely effected by the
Jews and Moors, their history embraces to a large extent the history
of civilization, and thereby acquires an interest not limited to
the people and countries of which your lectures give so interesting
an account. A publication in permanent form of your lectures would
advance our knowledge of that part of history to which we have always
looked for instruction and guidance, and I hope you may find a way of
accomplishing this object.

                                            Very Respectfully,

                                                             A. KREKEL.


          EDITORIAL IN THE KANSAS CITY JOURNAL OF SUNDAY,
                         APRIL 24, 1886.

The Journal published yesterday morning the eighteenth and last of the
series of lectures delivered by Rabbi Krauskopf on "THE JEW AND MOOR
IN SPAIN." From first to last these lectures have been of absorbing
interest. The Synagogue has been crowded on the occasion of their
delivery, and it was with regret that the Rabbi's hearers heard that
the lecture on Friday night was the last of the series.

It is the purpose of Rabbi Krauskopf to have his lectures issued in
book form. They will make an attractive volume, and will no doubt be
widely read. Rabbi Krauskopf is a graphic writer, and his lectures upon
"THE JEW AND MOOR IN SPAIN" are a series of historical occurrences
related in a manner that serves to chain the reader's attention--old
world scenes are accurately and vividly described. The reader is taken
through all the struggles, the defeats and the triumphs of the Jews.
Their arts, their industry, their upright dealings and their steadfast
adherence to their religion through trials and persecutions are related
with a proud belief that they were God's chosen people, working out
their destiny according to His will. The lecturer started with the Jews
as he found them, a prosperous community in southwestern Europe, busily
engaged in transforming Spain into a granery and garden spot of Europe,
respected by their heathen neighbors, happy and contented. He passed
on to the period of persecution in the Sixth Century when Christianity
of a somewhat forcible nature attempted the conversion of the Jews by
persecution; when many were massacred and others driven into exile.
Then came the Arab invasion and during the period of Mohammedan
supremacy the Jews were again allowed to live in peace and the exercise
of their own religious rites. For eight centuries the Jews and the
Moors worked side by side and the once down-trodden people rose to
affluence and high position.

With the decline of Mohammedan power, and the expulsion of the Moors
by the Spaniards, the Jews were again reduced to a pitiable state.
Spain arose to enormous power, but that, too, has waned, and the
population of 30,000,000 people has dwindled to about half that number.
The manufactures, the commerce and the agricultural, the universal
prosperity which the Jews had built up disappeared, and the glory of
Spain departed as rapidly as it had been acquired. In the expulsion of
the Jews and Moors alone does Rabbi Krauskopf attribute the ruin of
Spain.

The lectures read like a romance. They are an historical romance, told
in a charming manner, full of descriptions accurate, truthful. When
they are compiled the volume will undoubtedly meet with a large sale.
It was not the original intention of the Rabbi to issue his lectures in
book form, but many people, both Jews and Christians, have requested
him verbally and by letter to do so, and he has decided to grant their
requests.

[Illustration]




CONTENTS OF CHAPTERS.


                              CHAPTER I.

  A DAY IN CORDOVA.                                       3-11


                              CHAPTER II.

  EUROPE DURING THE DARK AGES.                           12-21


                             CHAPTER III.

  EUROPE DURING THE DARK AGES, _Continued_.              21-33


                              CHAPTER IV.

  RETURN TO CORDOVA.                                     34-45


                              CHAPTER V.

  THE ARAB-MOORS.                                        46-57


                              CHAPTER VI.

  A SABBATH EVE IN CORDOVA.                              58-68


                             CHAPTER VII.

  A SABBATH EVE IN CORDOVA, _Continued_.                 69-81


                             CHAPTER VIII.

  ENTRANCE OF THE JEWS INTO EUROPE.                      82-89


                              CHAPTER IX.

  ENTRANCE OF THE JEWS INTO SPAIN.                      90-101


                              CHAPTER X.

  THEIR POSITION IN MEDICAL SCIENCE.                   102-111


                              CHAPTER XI.

  IN THE SCIENCES.                                     112-122


                             CHAPTER XII.

  IN LITERATURE.                                       123-147


                             CHAPTER XIII.

  IN PHILOSOPHY.                                       148-158


                             CHAPTER XIV.

  IN THE INDUSTRIES.                                   159-170


                              CHAPTER XV.

  THE INQUISITION.                                     171-188


                             CHAPTER XVI.

  THE EXPULSION OF THE JEWS.                           189-205


                             CHAPTER XVII.

  THE DISPERSION OF THE JEWS.                          206-224


                             CHAPTER XVIII

  EFFECT OF THE EXPULSION.                             225-240

  INDEX.                                                   242




CONTENTS.


                              CHAPTER I.

  A DAY IN CORDOVA                                                 3-11

  Six and Eight and Ten Centuries Back in the World's
  History.--Our Entrance into Spain.--A Miracle.--The
  Beautiful Guadalaquivir.--Our Bronze Complexioned
  Oarsman.--Fair Cordova.--The City of the Arts and
  Sciences.--Night.--A Serenade.--Our Departure.


                              CHAPTER II.

  EUROPE DURING THE DARK AGES                                     12-21

  Upon The Ocean.--Desolate Europe.--Longing After
  Cordova.--Southern Spain Contrasted with the Rest of
  Europe.--Revolting Uncleanliness..Ascetic Monks Establish
  the Belief that Cleanliness of Body Leads to Pollution of
  Soul.--Intellect Fettered Hand and Foot.--Clergy Retarding
  Progress.--Secular Knowledge Spurned.


                             CHAPTER III.

  EUROPE DURING THE DARK AGES, _Continued_                        21-33

  Gross Superstitions.--A Crucifix that Shed Tears of
  Blood.--The Virgin's House Carried Through the Air by
  Angels.--Satan in the Form of a Beautiful Woman.--Scenes
  in Hell.--The Burning of Witches.--A King who Cannot Write
  his Name.--Feudal Lords as Highway Robbers.--The Serfdom
  of the Peasants.--Return to Cordova.


                              CHAPTER IV.

  RETURN TO CORDOVA                                               34-45

  Cordova at Day Break.--The Mohammedan Sabbath.--The Youth
  of Cordova Disports itself upon the Water.--Song.--Challenge
  between Oarsman.--The Muezzin's Call.--The Great Mosque.--A
  Sermon.--Chasdai Ibn Shaprut, the Jewish Minister to the
  Caliph.--Dunash Ibn Labrat.--On the Way to Abdallah Ibn
  Xamri, the Moorish Poet.


                              CHAPTER V.

  THE ARAB-MOORS                                                  46-57

  Abdallah Tells the Early History of the Arabs.--Miracles at
  the Birth of Mohammed.--The Angel, Gabriel Writes the Koran
  upon Palm Leaves.--Ten Decisive Years in the History of
  Religion.--Beautiful Zealica.--Arab-Moors Checked in their
  Conquest.--Quarrel between King Roderick and Count Julian,
  Father of the Insulted Florinda.--Jews Ally with the
  Wronged Father.--Andalusia Conquered.


                              CHAPTER VI.

  A SABBATH EVE IN CORDOVA                                        58-68

  The Synagogue of Cordova.--The Daughters of Israel
  Preparing for the Sabbath.--The Throne of the
  "Nasi".--Rabbi Moses Ben Chanoch.--The Eloquence of
  Silence.--A Tearful Scene.--Three Rabbis Taken
  Captive by Pirates.--Evil Designs against Chanoch's Young
  and Beautiful Wife.--Sold as Slave to Cordova.--His
  Miraculous Rise.


                             CHAPTER VII.

  A SABBATH EVE IN CORDOVA, _Continued_                           69-81

  The Evening Service.--A Beautiful Custom in
  Israel.--Honored with an Invitation to Chasdai's
  House.--Illuminated Streets.--The Two Angels.--An Ideal
  Sabbath in an Ideal Home.--The Praise of the Virtuous
  Woman.--A Father's Blessing.--Presented to the Ladies.--The
  Evening Meal.--The Jewish Kingdom of the Khozars.


                             CHAPTER VIII.

  ENTRANCE OF THE JEWS INTO EUROPE                                82-89

  Chasdai's Library.--His Account of the Entrance of the Jews
  into Europe.--The Destruction of Jerusalem.--A Terrible
  Carnage.--Israel Ceases as a Nation.--The Diaspore.--The
  Daughter-Religions Thrive upon the Sufferings they Inflict
  Upon the Mother-Religion.--The Indestructibility of
  Israel.--Humiliated but Not Forsaken.


                              CHAPTER IX.

  ENTRANCE OF THE JEWS INTO SPAIN                                90-101

  Jews Settle in Spain During the Reign of King
  Solomon.--Jewish Agricultural Skill makes Andalusia the
  Garden Spot of Europe.--Prosperity the Great Crime of the
  Jews.--The Beginning of Jewish Persecutions in
  Europe.--Cruel Laws.--Vengeance.--The Jews Conspire with
  Count Julian and Moors against Spain.--Victory.--Moorish
  Appreciation of the Services of the Jews.


                              CHAPTER X.

  THEIR POSITION IN MEDICAL SCIENCE                             102-111

  The Fifteenth Century.--A Change in the Fortunes of the
  Jews and Moors.--An Examination into their Great
  Achievements.--Their Skill in Medical Science.--Miracle
  Cure by Christian Clergy.--Jewish Body Physicians Highly
  Prized and Much Sought.--Prominent Medical Schools and
  Eminent Physicians.--Rashi.--Ibn Ezra.--Ibn
  Tibbon.--Maimonides.--Avenzoar Avicenna.


                              CHAPTER XI.

  IN THE SCIENCES                                               112-122

  Marvelous Intellectual Superiority of Moors and
  Jews.--Moors Excel the Jews in the Sciences.--They
  Introduce the Mathematical Sciences. Their Progress in
  Astronomy.--Absurd Refutations by the Christian
  Clergy.--The Researches into Chemistry, Zoology and
  Geology.--They Anticipate Modern Discoveries.--Europe's
  Ingratitude.


                             CHAPTER XII.

  IN LITERATURE                                                 123-147

  Spain's Prosperity Stimulates Literature.--Lavish
  Provisions for Education.--Caliphs Patrons of
  Learning.--Vast Libraries Embodying the Knowledge of the
  Day.--Poetry Especially Fostered.--Story-telling.--Jewish
  and Moorish Poetry Contrasted.--Jehuda Ha
  Levy.--Charisi.--Gabirol.--Moses Ben Ezra.


                             CHAPTER XIII.

  IN PHILOSOPHY                                                 148-158

  Alexandria, the Intellectual Metropolis of the World.--A
  Prodigious Stimulus Given to Learning.--The
  Septuagint.--Development of Grecian Philosophy into
  Aristotlianism.--This Engrafted on Jewish
  Theology.--Opposition of Christianity to
  Aristotlianism.--Averroes.--Moses Maimonides. Opposition
  Unsuccessful.


                             CHAPTER XIV.

  IN THE INDUSTRIES                                             159-170

  Intellectual Greatness of Moors and Jews Induced by Their
  Material Prosperity.--Remarkable Development of
  Agriculture.--New Discoveries in Every Industry.--Mining a
  Specialty.--The Magnet, Mariner's Compass Mechanical
  Apparatus.--Spread of Commerce Leads to General Awakening
  of Europe that Ends Middle Ages.


                              CHAPTER XV.

  THE INQUISITION                                               171-188

  Jewish and Moorish Intellectual Advance followed by
  Physical Decline.--This Decline the Cause of Their
  Downfall.--The Spaniard Again Ruler Over Spain.--The
  Inquisition Established.--To Escape it, Jews Become "New
  Christians".--Christianity no Help to the Jews.--Thomas de
  Torquemada.--The Tortures of the Inquisition.--A Public
  Burning.


                             CHAPTER XVI.

  THE EXPULSION OF THE JEWS                                     189-205

  Torquemada Resolves Upon Immediate Expulsion of all
  Unconverted Jews.--The Fatal Edict.--The Spaniards Moved to
  Pity.--Don Isaac Abarbanel Pleads with the Queen.--The
  Queen Hesitates.--Torquemada, the Fiend, Conquers
  Again.--The Ill-fated Jews Seek Among the Dead the Pity
  which the Living Refuse.--The Departure.


                             CHAPTER XVII.

  THE DISPERSION OF THE JEWS                                    206-224

  Exiles Transported on Ships.--Heart-rending Scenes on Board
  a Ship.--Set Ashore on Deserted Islands to
  Starve.--Starving Jews Given the Choice Between Death and
  Christianity.--Merciful Italy