Medieval W. Christendom
[This charming folkish tale begins with an alleged forced conversion in northern
France. A major Jewish leader purportedly stepped forward and claimed that only the
ecclesiastical authorities could decree such a forced conversion. Abetted by a miraculous
coincidence, the Jewish leader was given permission to head off to Rome to see the
pope.]
He [the Jewish leader, Jacob ben Yekutiel] his wife, his three sons, his four
retainers, and his twelve horses traveled and reached Rome, with the aid of the Lord who
protected him on his way. He stood before the pope and did not bow or genuflect, as is
the custom of the Christians to bow. The behavior was very surprising to him [the pope],
and he said to him [the Jew]- “Who are you?” He [the Jew] replied- “I am a Jew from a
distant land. I have come before you, my lord, along with me wife and sons. I have
come to entreat you to allow me to speak with you privately. For I have a confidential
matter for you.” He [the pope] arose from his throne and left all the people. The two of
them entered a separate room.
R. Jacob said to him- “My lord, if I could have risen to heaven to express my
concern, I would have been very pleased. However, I have found no one except for the
Rock [i.e. the Lord] more authoritative than you in the lands of the Christians, for you are
the leader of the nations and rule over them. Therefore I have come to cry out to you on
behalf of the Jews who dwell in the domain of your authority. For wicked men have
risen against them without your authorization. They have killed many of them and have
forcibly converted some of them. Now, if it seems proper to you, write that they repent
of their evil, and send your sealed letter and your emissary, [armed] with the threat of
excommunication, [ordering] that no Christian be permitted to kill a Jew under any
circumstance, nor to harm him, nor to expropriate his property, nor to force him out of his
faith. Behold I have two hundred pounds, half of them in Angevin currency and the rest
in Maine currency, for they [the Jews] wished me to give this to your servants to bring to
your treasury. I shall weigh out seven gold coins to whichever bishop you select, that he
go forth on your mission. I shall provide him with twelve horses for his carriage and two
hundred silver coins for travel expenses. I shall give him a writ with my seal to all the
[Jewish] communities that they honor him. I shall remain with you until your bishop
returns peaceably.” The pope said- “Give me fifteen days, so that I might take counsel
with my bishops and the rest of the councilors who serve me. I shall reply within that
time.” R. Jacob replied- “For life and peace.”
He [the pope] sent for the [Jewish] heads of the city—R. Moses ha-nasi, R.
Abraham, and R. Sabbatai, the pillars of the city. He entrusted this man [R. Jacob] to
them and ordered them to honor him deeply. The nadiv [an honorific title for R. Jacob]
went with these leaders. They prepared for him, his wife, his sons, and his retinue a
house, for he was quite wealthy and did not wish to enjoy the largesse of others. The evil
decree was told to the Jews [of Rome], along with all that had happened to him, and they
were deeply saddened. They prayed to the Lord that the heart of the pope would be
supportive for them.
When the appointed day arrived, R. Jacob and the three leaders along with him
came before the pope. He was happy to see him [R. Jacob] and greeted him peaceably.
He [R. Jacob] replied- “May the Rock [i.e. the Lord] strengthen your rule.” The ruler did
for him all that he had requested. He sent his bishop, with a sealed decree, and he [the
emissary] went on his way. This honored man [R. Jacob] remained in the city of Rome
for four years, until the bishop returned from all the communities. He did not leave a
single place through which he did not pass. The Holy One, blessed be he, annulled the
decree through that pious one.