Steinberg's book uncovers Jewish culture in Mid Ages

“Jews and Judaism in the Middle Ages,” a new scholarly text that examines Jews and their often misunderstood place during that era, has been written by Dr. Theodore L. Steinberg, longtime professor of English at SUNY Fredonia.

The history and culture of Jews, whose numbers were quite small in a part of the world dominated by Roman Catholicism, has been frequently ignored in general studies of Europe during the Middle Ages. Over the course of more than 300 pages, Dr. Steinberg’s book seeks to correct the record through introductions to Jewish thought, history and texts.

Dr. Steinberg’s goal in writing the book was to “make that minority culture understandable” to both professional scholars and students, while clearing up misperceptions that have persisted for centuries. The book also identifies several significant works of history written by medieval scholars that present information about Jews which is completely untrue, according to Dr. Steinberg.

While Jews were subjected to great persecution and suffering, the book explains there were also times when they lived in harmony with people of Christian and Muslim faiths. “There were times, for instance, during the 12th century, when Christian scholars and Jewish scholars actually worked together, talked about Biblical issues,” said Dr. Steinberg. “They did share ideas.”

The book contains extensive references to Jewish accomplishments in the areas of biblical commentary, literature and philosophy. For example, Jewish philosopher and poet Ibn Gabirol wrote a book in Hebrew that was translated into Latin and subsequently hailed as brilliant by Christian scholars who didn’t know it was written by a Jew, Dr. Steinberg explained. Noted Christian theologian St. Thomas Aquinas was influenced by Maimonides, a prominent Jewish philosopher who had an impact on the non-Jewish world.

A small collection of Jewish poems composed during the Middle Ages and illustrations are also included in the book.

Dr. Steinberg, Distinguished Teaching Professor and recipient of both the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the SUNY Fredonia President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, wrote the book over a three-year period

“I think it’s a really interesting history because so many people today are making attempts at understanding each other, by understanding their culture, their religion and customs, and I think this book has something to offer in the way of ecumenism by trying to lessen the ignorance because so much prejudice comes out of ignorance,” Dr. Steinberg said.