Abdallah Tells the Early History of the Arabs.—Miracles at the Birth of Mohammed.—The Angel, Gabriel Writes the Koran upon Palm Leaves.—Ten Decisive Years in the History of religion.—Beautiful Zealica.—Arab-Moors Checked in their Conquest.—Quarrel between King Roderick and Count Julian, Father of the Insulted Florinda.—Jews Ally with the Wronged Father.—Andalusia Conquered.
xvii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
A Sabbath Eve in Cordova.
58-68
The Synagogue of Cordova.—The Daughters of Israel Preparing for the Sabbath.—The Throne of the "Nasi".—Rabbi Moses Ben Chanoch.—The Eloquence of Silence.—A Tearful Scene.—Three Rabbis Taken Captive by Pirates.—Evil Designs against Chanoch's Young and Beautiful Wife.—Sold as Slave to Cordova.—His Miraculous Rise.
CHAPTER VII.
A Sabbath Eve in Cordova, Continued.
69-81
The Evening Service.—A Beautiful Custom in Israel.—Honored with an Invitation to Chasdai's House.—Illuminated Streets.—The Two Angels.—An Ideal Sabbath in an Ideal Home.—The Praise of the Virtuous Woman.—A Father's Blessing.—Presented to the Ladies.—The Evening Meal.—The Jewish Kingdom of the Khozars.
xviii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
Entrance of the Jews into Europe.
82-89
Chasdai's Library.—His Account of the Entrance of the Jews into Europe.—The Destruction of Jerusalem.—A Terrible Carnage.—Israel Ceases as a Nation.—The Diaspore.—The Daughter-Religions Thrive upon the Sufferings they Inflict Upon the Mother-Religion.—The Indestructibility of Israel.—Humiliated but Not Forsaken.
CHAPTER IX.
Entrance of the Jews into Spain.
90-101
Jews Settle in Spain During the Reign of King Solomon.—Jewish Agricultural Skill makes Andalusia the Garden Spot of Europe.—Prosperity the Great Crime of the Jews.—The Beginning of Jewish Persecutions in Europe.—Cruel Laws.—Vengeance.—The Jews Conspire with Count Julian and Moors against Spain.—Victory.—Moorish Appreciation of the Services of the Jews.
CHAPTER X.
Their Position in Medical Science.
102-111
The Fifteenth Century.—A Change in the Fortunes of the Jews and Moors.—An Examination into their Great Achievements.—Their Skill in Medical Science.—Miracle Cure by Christian Clergy.—Jewish Body Physicians Highly Prized and Much Sought.—Prominent Medical Schools and Eminent Physicians.—Rashi.—Ibn Ezra.—Ibn Tibbon.—Maimonides.—Avenzoar Avicenna.
xix
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XI.
In the Sciences.
112-122
Marvelous Intellectual Superiority of Moors and Jews.—Moors Excel the Jews in the Sciences.—They Introduce the Mathematical Sciences. Their Progress in Astronomy.—Absurd Refutations by the Christian Clergy.—The Researches into Chemistry, Zoology and Geology.—They Anticipate Modern Discoveries.—Europe's Ingratitude.
CHAPTER XII.
In Literature.
123-147
Spain's Prosperity Stimulates Literature.—Lavish Provisions for Education.—Caliphs Patrons of Learning.—Vast Libraries Embodying the Knowledge of the Day.—Poetry Especially Fostered.—Story-telling.—Jewish and Moorish Poetry Contrasted.—Jehuda Ha Levy.—Charisi.—Gabirol.—Moses Ben Ezra.
xx
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
In Philosophy.
148-158
Alexandria, the Intellectual Metropolis of the World.—A Prodigious Stimulus Given to Learning.—The Septuagint.—Development of Grecian Philosophy into Aristotlianism.—This Engrafted on Jewish Theology.—Opposition of Christianity to Aristotlianism.—Averroes.—Moses Maimonides. Opposition Unsuccessful.
CHAPTER XIV.
In The Industries.
159-170
Intellectual Greatness of Moors and Jews Induced by Their Material Prosperity.—Remarkable Development of Agriculture.—New Discoveries in Every Industry.—Mining a Specialty.—The Magnet, Mariner's Compass Mechanical Apparatus.—Spread of Commerce Leads to General Awakening of Europe that Ends Middle Ages.
CHAPTER XV.
The Inquisition.
171-188
Jewish and Moorish Intellectual Advance followed by Physical Decline.—This Decline the Cause of Their Downfall.—The Spaniard Again Ruler Over Spain.—The Inquisition Established.—To Escape it, Jews Become "New Christians".—Christianity no Help to the Jews.—Thomas de Torquemada.—The Tortures of the Inquisition.—A Public Burning.
xxi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Expulsion of the Jews.
189-205
Torquemada Resolves Upon Immediate Expulsion of all Unconverted Jews.—The Fatal Edict.—The Spaniards Moved to Pity.—Don Isaac Abarbanel Pleads with the Queen.—The Queen Hesitates.—Torquemada, the Fiend, Conquers Again.—The Ill-fated Jews Seek Among the Dead the Pity which the Living Refuse.—The Departure.
CHAPTER XVII.
The Dispersion of the Jews.
206-224
Exiles Transported on Ships.—Heart-rending Scenes on Board a Ship.—Set Ashore on Deserted Islands to Starve.—Starving Jews Given the Choice Between Death and Christianity.—Merciful Italy.—Crafty Portugal.—Torquemada's Edict Eclipsed.—The Expulsion of the Jews From Portugal.—A Condition.—The King's Marriage.—Contract.—Final Expulsion.
