Worms massacre (1096)
Encyclopedia
The Worms massacre refers to the murder of 800 Jews of Worms
, Germany
, at the hands of crusaders
headed by Count Emicho during May 1096.
The massacre at Worms was one of number of attacks against Jewish communities perpetrated during the First Crusade
(1096–1099). Followers of Count Emicho arrived at Worms on May 18, 1096. Soon after a rumour spread that the Jews had drowned a Christian and used contaminated water to poison the towns wells. The local populace later joined forces with Emicho and launched a savage attack on the towns Jews. Every Jew that was captured was slain. Bishop Adalbert
intervened and allowed his palace to serve as a refuge, but eight days later the mob broke in and slaughtered those seeking asylum there. They were in the midst of reciting the Hallel
prayer for Rosh Chodesh
Sivan
. Among those killed was Kalonymos of Rome, who had succeeded Yaakov ben Yakar
as rabbi of Worms. In all, around 800 Jews were killed, with the exception of some who committed suicide and a few who were forcibly baptised. One Simchah ben Yitzchak ha-Cohen stabbed the bishop's nephew while being baptised and was killed for it.
Worms, Germany
Worms is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on the Rhine River. At the end of 2004, it had 85,829 inhabitants.Established by the Celts, who called it Borbetomagus, Worms today remains embattled with the cities Trier and Cologne over the title of "Oldest City in Germany." Worms is the only...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, at the hands of crusaders
Crusaders
The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles...
headed by Count Emicho during May 1096.
The massacre at Worms was one of number of attacks against Jewish communities perpetrated during the First Crusade
First Crusade
The First Crusade was a military expedition by Western Christianity to regain the Holy Lands taken in the Muslim conquest of the Levant, ultimately resulting in the recapture of Jerusalem...
(1096–1099). Followers of Count Emicho arrived at Worms on May 18, 1096. Soon after a rumour spread that the Jews had drowned a Christian and used contaminated water to poison the towns wells. The local populace later joined forces with Emicho and launched a savage attack on the towns Jews. Every Jew that was captured was slain. Bishop Adalbert
Bishopric of Worms
The Bishopric of Worms was an ecclesiastical principality of the Holy Roman Empire. Located on both banks of the Rhine around Worms just north of the union of that river with the Neckar, it was largely surrounded by the Palatinate. Worms had been the seat of a bishop from Roman times...
intervened and allowed his palace to serve as a refuge, but eight days later the mob broke in and slaughtered those seeking asylum there. They were in the midst of reciting the Hallel
Hallel
Hallel is a Jewish prayer—a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113–118, which is used for praise and thanksgiving that is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays.-Holy days:...
prayer for Rosh Chodesh
Rosh Chodesh
Rosh Chodesh or Rosh ḥodesh is the name for the first day of every month in the Hebrew calendar, marked by the appearance of the new moon. The new moon is marked by the day and hour that the new crescent is observed...
Sivan
Sivan
Sivan is the ninth month of the civil year and the third month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. It is a spring month of 30 days...
. Among those killed was Kalonymos of Rome, who had succeeded Yaakov ben Yakar
Yaakov ben Yakar
Yaakov ben Yakar was a German Talmudist. He flourished in the first half of the 11th century. He was a pupil of Gershom ben Judah in Mainz, and is especially known as the teacher of Rashi, who characterizes him as Mori HaZaken .Yaakov was one of the leading Talmudic authorities of his time...
as rabbi of Worms. In all, around 800 Jews were killed, with the exception of some who committed suicide and a few who were forcibly baptised. One Simchah ben Yitzchak ha-Cohen stabbed the bishop's nephew while being baptised and was killed for it.