period of Mohammedan supremacy the Jews were again allowed to live in peace and the exercise of their own religious rites. For eight centuries the Jews and the Moors worked side by side and the once down-trodden people rose to affluence and high position.
With the decline of Mohammedan power, and the expulsion of the Moors by the Spaniards, the Jews were again reduced to a pitiable state. Spain arose to enormous power, but that, too, has waned, and the population of 30,000,000 people has dwindled to about half that number. The manufactures, the commerce and the agricultural, the universal prosperity which the Jews had built up disappeared, and the glory of Spain departed as rapidly as it had been acquired. In the expulsion of the Jews and Moors alone does Rabbi Krauskopf attribute the ruin of Spain.
The lectures read like a romance. They are an historical romance, told in a charming manner, full of descriptions accurate, truthful. When they are compiled the volume will undoubtedly meet with a large sale. It was not the original intention of the Rabbi to issue his lectures in book form, but many people, both Jews and Christians, have requested him verbally and by letter to do so, and he has decided to grant their requests.
xi
CONTENTS OF CHAPTERS.
| CHAPTER I. | |
| A Day in Cordova. | 3-11 |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Europe During the Dark Ages. | 12-21 |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Europe During the Dark Ages, Continued. | 21-33 |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Return To Cordova. | 34-45 |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| The Arab-Moors. | 46-57 |
| xii | |
| CONTENTS OF CHAPTERS. CHAPTER VI. | |
| A Sabbath Eve in Cordova. | 58-68 |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| A Sabbath Eve in Cordova, Continued. | 69-81 |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Entrance of the Jews into Europe. | 82-89 |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Entrance of the Jews into Spain. | 90-101 |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Their Position in Medical Science. | 102-111 |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| In the Sciences. | 112-122 |
| xiii | |
| CONTENTS OF CHAPTERS. CHAPTER XII. | |
| In Literature. | 123-147 |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| In Philosophy. | 148-158 |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| In The Industries. | 159-170 |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| The Inquisition. | 171-188 |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| The Expulsion of the Jews. | 189-205 |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| The Dispersion of the Jews. | 206-224 |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| Effect of the Expulsion. | 225-240 |
| Index. | 241 |
xv
CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER I. | |
| A Day in Cordova. | 3-11 |
| Six and Eight and Ten Centuries Back in the World's History.—Our Entrance into Spain.—A Miracle.—The Beautiful Guadalaquivir.—Our Bronze Complexioned Oarsman.—Fair Cordova.—The City of the Arts and Sciences.—Night.—A Serenade.—Our Departure. | |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Europe During the Dark Ages. | 12-21 |
| Upon The Ocean.—Desolate Europe.—Longing After Cordova.—Southern Spain Contrasted with the Rest of Europe.—Revolting Uncleanliness..Ascetic Monks Establish the Belief that Cleanliness of Body Leads to Pollution of Soul.—Intellect Fettered Hand and Foot.—Clergy Retarding Progress.—Secular Knowledge Spurned. | |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Europe During the Dark Ages, Continued. | 21-33 |
| Gross Superstitions.—A Crucifix that Shed Tears of Blood.—The Virgin's House Carried Through the Air by Angels.—Satan in the Form of a Beautiful Woman.—Scenes in Hell.—The Burning of Witches.—A King who Cannot Write his Name.—Feudal Lords as Highway Robbers.—The Serfdom of the Peasants.—Return to Cordova. | |
| xvi CHAPTER IV. | |
| Return To Cordova. | 34-45 |
| Cordova at Day Break.—The Mohammedan Sabbath.—The Youth of Cordova Disports itself upon the Water.—Song.—Challenge between Oarsman.—The Muezzin's Call.—The Great Mosque.—A Sermon.—Chasdai Ibn Shaprut, the Jewish Minister to the Caliph.—Dunash Ibn Labrat.—On the Way to Abdallah Ibn Xamri, the Moorish Poet. | |
