Blood Libel

"And they all brought railing accusations, but their testimonies did not agree..."
The differences among people and the way we view each other has caused some of the richest human interaction on earth and some of the cruelest genocides. Our differences add to the depth of human understanding, as each culture contributes its unique perspective on life. Our differences also start wars that will not end. In the Old Testament, there is a description of the Azazel , or scapegoat. All of Israel would put their sins 'on' the goat, and one goat would be sacrificed and one would be sent outside the walls into the desert taking away the sins. Facts on Blood Libel All accounts carry the implication of the Jews accountability for Jesus's death. First widespread libels began in Rome before the dispersions Written accounts from the 1100s and beyond often include the stealing of Christian Children and blood in making Matzah. Scapegoating is a form of Blood Libel More to follow In the same way, communities have often acted in the same way, taking the collective guilt or shame of a community and resting it in blame on some innocent victim. In the middle ages, the concept of Blood Libel described a process of rumor and innuendo, that grew in grandiose proportions and was inevitable placed on a Jewish person outside the Christian community. There were many rumors and superstitions about the Jews at the time and at all times. One of the bizarre misconceptions was that Jews made Matzah, a yeast-less cracker/bread with the blood of Christian infants which they stole in the middle of the night. Similar notions ran rampant, as the Jews became Christ-Killers who were being punished for their sins. Rumors however have a life of their own and very frequently the rumors and stories turned to charges: many innocent Jews were killed during this time. Blood Libel still exists today as we blame people or ethnic groups for crimes based up prejudice, rumor and innuendo because they are not like us and do not believe as we believe. Racial Profiling can be a form a blood libel: persons are assumed to be potential crime perpetrators based entirely on peripheral characteristics. Historical blood libel though usually included the traits listed above. More will follow. < /tr>

The differences among people and the way we view each other has caused some of the richest human interaction on earth and some of the cruelest genocides. Our differences add to the depth of human understanding, as each culture contributes its unique perspective on life. Our differences also start wars that will not end.

In the Old Testament, there is a description of the Azazel , or scapegoat. All of Israel would put their sins 'on' the goat, and one goat would be sacrificed and one would be sent outside the walls into the desert taking away the sins.

Facts on Blood Libel

All accounts carry the implication of the Jews accountability for Jesus's death.

First widespread libels began in Rome before the dispersions

Written accounts from the 1100s and beyond often include the stealing of Christian Children and blood in making Matzah.

Scapegoating is a form of Blood Libel

More to follow

In the same way, communities have often acted in the same way, taking the collective guilt or shame of a community and resting it in blame on some innocent victim.

In the middle ages, the concept of Blood Libel described a process of rumor and innuendo, that grew in grandiose proportions and was inevitable placed on a Jewish person outside the Christian community. There were many rumors and superstitions about the Jews at the time and at all times. One of the bizarre misconceptions was that Jews made Matzah, a yeast-less cracker/bread with the blood of Christian infants which they stole in the middle of the night. Similar notions ran rampant, as the Jews became Christ-Killers who were being punished for their sins.

Rumors however have a life of their own and very frequently the rumors and stories turned to charges: many innocent Jews were killed during this time. Blood Libel still exists today as we blame people or ethnic groups for crimes based up prejudice, rumor and innuendo because they are not like us and do not believe as we believe. Racial Profiling can be a form a blood libel: persons are assumed to be potential crime perpetrators based entirely on peripheral characteristics. Historical blood libel though usually included the traits listed above. More will follow.

< /tr>