Medieval Judaism
• Took form after the destruction of Jerusalem (70 CE) and the dispersion of the Jews, who had to adapt to a religious situation without the Jerusalem Temple and its priestly liturgies of sacrifice. Personal study of the scriptures, observation of the Law (Torah) as interpreted by the rabbis and congregational prayer in the Synagogue become the centre of Jewish religious life.
• Had its centre in Babylon (under the Caliphate of Bagdad) until the Mongol Invasion in 1258.
• 8th – 11th Century: flourished in Spain (under the Caliphate of Cordoba).
• 10th – 11th Century: flourished in Central Europe, especially in Germany.
The rabbis
Were trained scholars, expert in the reading and interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. They set the norm and the model for Jewish communities. In the “Talmud” they commented the Scriptures, in particular the Torah, which was read and venerated in the weekly Sabbath services.
Synagogue
A new sort of religious sanctuary, a house of meeting and prayer and ritual actions,
served as the model for both Christian churches and Islamic mosques.
