Black death Quote by Phyllis Goldstein
““After the Black Death in the mid-1300s, the persecution of Jews intensified, and many Jews in Europe moved farther east. Some left because life at home had become too dangerous. Others headed east because they were forced from their homes. Increasingly, whenever a ruler decided that his debts were overwhelming or that he no longer needed the services Jews provided, he expelled them—no matter how long they and their families had lived in the country. In every instance, the ruler claimed their property and took charge of all money owed to them. Borrowers then had to pay their debts to the ruler instead of to the Jewish lenders.””
About This Quote
Source Historical analysis: European Jewish expulsions, 14th‑15th centuries
Jewish communities faced repeated expulsions when rulers needed debt relief, losing property and being forced eastward.
In simple terms: Rulers expelled Jews to erase debts, seizing assets and redirecting repayments.
Key Takeaway
Beware of economic motives behind persecution.
Themes
persecution
economics
migration
debt
expropriation
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- Medieval Europe
- royal courts
- Jewish diaspora
- financial crises
Key Concepts
Feudal finance
social scapegoating
population displacement
Questions to Reflect On
- How do economic incentives shape persecution?
- What safeguards protect minority assets?
A Different Perspective
Expulsions also stemmed from religious intolerance, not just debt.
![“...[E]xcept the flying fish, there was no race existing on the earth, in the air, or the waters, who were the object of such an intermitting, general, and relentless persecution as the Jews of this period. Upon the slightest and most unreasonable pretences, as well as upon accusations the most…” quote by Sir Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a0f/sir-walter-scott-24890_anti-semitism_e-xcept-the-flying-fish-there-was-no-rac_1546189.jpg)
![“[According to 1348 theorists, poisoning of Christian water by Jews was the cause of Black Death.] Even the poison used to contaminate the Christian water supply was described in meticulous detail. It was "about the size of an egg," except when it was the "size of a nut" or a "large nut," "a fist"…” quote by John Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/60b/john-kelly-70258_christianity_according-to-1348-theorists-poisoning-of_206584.jpg)
![“We are all bound thither; we are hastening to the same common goal. Black death calls all things under the sway of its laws. [Lat., Tendimus huc omnes; metam properamus ad unam. Omnia sub leges mors vocat atra suas.]” quote by Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/de9/ovid-276_ads_we-are-all-bound-thither-we-are-hastenin_207246.jpg)
