Marian Devotion and the Jewish Gospel (Toledot Yeshu) in Eighteenth Century Amsterdam
Evi Michels
Polemical narratives on the life of Jesus Nazareth were common among Jews since Middle Ages. In Enlightenment context, especially in Netherlands, these developed into an eminently popular text genre, with close ties to performative arts. The authors Yiddish manuscripts discussed here thus inserted new narrative elements traditional story. their retelling he familiar story, they creatively included actualizing references daily experiences audience. Among original elements, we find a assumption Mary. Whereas this unexpected element seems reflect medieval when stories about Virgin Mary widely circulated Catholic it nevertheless served as effective tool also Protestant context. negotiate boundaries between Jewish and Christian communities, define conditions peaceful coexistence.
Cromohs. Cyber Review of Modern Historiography