Judaism, from the Middle Ages to date, can be described as an ever-discriminated culture. The Jews great resilience has allowed them to endure the tremendous torments history has brought them. A characteristic that has always sustained the Jewish people is their passion to remember. They continue remembering all that has befallen them, "Their [Jews] best characteristic is their desire to remember. No other people has such an obsession with memory." Jews in the Middle Ages, a despised people in a hostile environment, contributed intellectually and economically to society. Jews simultaneously experienced anti-Semitism under the shadow of the omnipotent Catholic Church because of their difference in beliefs and fit as a scapegoat.

The Jews of the Middle Ages were a contribution to society both intellectually and financially. Jews occupied many jobs including: doctors, translators, philosophers, theologians, and financiers, and were very successful. In the scientific world, Ibn Gabirol (Avencebrol) had great influence on Franciscan thought and his poetry is famous today. In philosophy, Maimonides (known as Rabbi Moses by Aquinas) influenced the Thomists and Dominicans. He rec

onciled the work of Aristotle with Jewish theology. His importance was recognized in the Jewish Bulletin as, "the most important Jew of the Millennium."(Altman-Ohr 1) Medieval Jewish physicians translated Greek medical knowledge, and money lending and merchant Jews had enough money to put up synagogues. These Jewish intellects lived comfortably with houses and lands run by slaves, and were well supplied with wine, and enjoyed other luxuries. In France and Germany, Jews seemed to posses a trade monopoly. Solomon, a Jew, was King Dagobert's merchant, and Priscus, another Jew, was King Chilperia's merchant. In fact, Jews were so predominant in France's and Germany's trade that trade ordinances were addressed, "Jews and other merchants". The Jews traveled everywhere, "for where trade was, there was the Jew also." (Dorset 50). The Jews were distributed throughout the society but they were always distinguished and set apart from everyone else because of their religion.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Middle Ages, Muslim Christian, Jews Christian, Prior Crusades, France Rhineland, Christ Jews, Jew Dorset, Judaism Judaism, Christians Christians, Portugal Jews, middle ages, jews middle, jews middle ages, set apart, society jews, set apart else, century jews, catholicism islam, religious ruling, suffering experienced, jews christian, york schocken books, followers chosen people, ruling power,
Approximate Word count = 2053
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)