0498381 - ÚČL 2019 RIV PL eng J - Journal Article
Soukup, Daniel
Oh, Bestia Synagoga! The Representation of Jews in Czech Sermons at the Turn of the 17th and 18th. Centuries.
Wrocław theological review. Roč. 26, č. 1 (2018), s. 19-32. ISSN 1231-1731
Institutional support: RVO:68378068
Keywords : Image of Jews * Anti-Jewish Rhetoric * Early Modern Homiletics * Catholic Sermons * Representation of Jews in Literature * History of Jews in the Czech Lands
OECD category: Specific literatures

The main aim of this study is to present how early modern preaching in the Czech lands shaped the image of the local Jewish community in Christian eyes at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. Bohemian and Moravian preachers, drawing from medieval literature, were fundamentally influenced by the traditional theological concept of Jews as a living witness to the Christian truth. At the same time, baroque sermons reused medieval exempla and miracula preserving typical anti-Jewish narratives. Due to the increasing number of Bohemian and Moravian Jewry at the end of 17th century, and the socio-economical tension between Christian and Jewish communities, catholic preachers pursued contemporary topics and criticized unpermitted contacts, allegedly leading to the inferior status of Christians. On the other hand, these critical notes usually were targeted primarily on Christian believers and their laxity in the observance of religious life, as well as ignorance of social hierarchy. Although the Czech Catholic sermons constructed the hostile perception of Jews, the preachers endeavoured to avoid vulgar antiJudaism and partly smoothed popular anti-Jewish sentiments.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0290760