Chapter I: 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.

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.--Crafty
Portugal.--Torquemada's Edict Eclipsed.--The Expulsion of
the Jews From Portugal.--A Condition.--The King's
Marriage.--Contract.--Final Expulsion.

CHAPTER XVIII

EFFECT OF THE EXPULSION 225-240

A Brief Review.--Curse of God Visited Upon Spain.--The
Church a False Prophet.--With Expulsion of the Jews and
Moors Spanish Prosperity Ceases.--Spaniards Experience some
of the Sufferings which the Jews and Moors had
Endured.--Spain Makes Amends.--The Moors Lost.--The Jews Live.

The Jews and Moors in Spain.