How a medieval Europe lie spread antisemitism across the world

Follow  Berkeley Talks,  a  Berkeley News  podcast that features lectures and conversations at UC Berkeley. Magda Teter, author of the 2020 book Blood Libel , gave the Center for Jewish Studies' Annual Pell Lecture at UC Berkeley on March 15, 2023. In Berkeley Talks episode 167, Magda Teter, professor of history and the Shvidler Chair of Judaic Studies at Fordham University and author of the 2020 book Blood Libel: On the Trail of an Antisemitic Myth , discusses how an anti-Jewish lie that originated in medieval Europe has persisted throughout history and spread antisemitism across the world. Known as blood libel, the superstitious accusation - that Jews ritually sacrifice Christian children at Passover to obtain blood for unleavened bread - first emerged in the 12th century, but became a dominant narrative in the 15th century. "Why in the 15th century do we have this sudden shift in quantity, in quality, of these accusations?” asked Teter, during the Center for Jewish Studies' Annual Pell Lecture on March 15. "The answer is Simon of Trent, the story of Simon of Trent. Simon of Trent, who lived in what is now Italy, went missing in 1475 at age 3. He was first believed to have drowned in a canal or river in the area, but with time, rumors began to circulate that perhaps the Jews were responsible for his disappearance, which occurred during Passover. Their houses were searched, and nothing was found. But then, the toddler's body washed up under the house of a Jewish family on Easter Sunday. The family notified authorities that the boy's body had been found. They were arrested, and a trial took place. "The interest was in making Simon a martyr,” said Teter. "Why?