A Community Torn: The Tragic Blood Libel in Speyer

In the month of Adar in 1196, a devastating blood libel unfolded in the city of Speyer, home to an ancient Jewish community. When a body was found near the city's river channel, without any investigation, ignorant villagers rashly claimed that a Christian had been killed by Jews. On the road to the city, two carriages carrying Jewish passengers were stopped, and the frenzied crowd heartlessly murdered nine Jews who had no connection to the incident and were completely unaware of the accusations.

The esteemed Rabbi Isaac ben Asher, known as "Riva the Second," led the Speyer community then. He was the grandson of Riva and a pupil of the renowned Rashi. Among the murdered was his young daughter. After the tragic incident, the Jews hurried to bury their fallen in a Jewish grave, but the ruthless attackers desecrated the grave of Riva's daughter, hanging her body in a humiliating display in the town center. Rabbi Isaac, overcome with grief, tried to protect his daughter's honor amidst the chaos, only to be murdered himself.

Fearing for their lives, the Jewish community took refuge in Speyer's old synagogue. They managed to buy themselves some time by retreating to the attic and pulling up the ladder. Under cover of darkness, they fled the city quietly, leaving behind their looted homes. The synagogue was set ablaze, and the Torah scrolls were desecrated, leaving a path of destruction in their community.

Duke Otto, who relied on the Jews' financial contributions, was furious with the perpetrators for attacking his income source. He assembled a military contingent and laid siege to Speyer. The city's bishop attempted to defend the citizens, but the forces quickly overpowered them. The bishop's residence and other offenders' homes were burned down, and the perpetrators faced justice, paying the ultimate price on the gallows. Furthermore, the Christian community of Speyer was fined 150 gold coins for their actions against the Jews.

Emperor Henry VI of Germany, Duke Otto's brother, reviewed the situation and determined that the compensation was insufficient for the community's recovery. He ordered an additional sum to be paid to the Jews, allowing them to restore their synagogue and homes, and slowly return to some semblance of normal life. This account is documented in the "Book of Memorial" written by Rabbi Ephraim of Bonn, a scholar among the Tosafists and brother to Rabbi Hillel of Bonn, affectionately known by their students as the "Sons of Yitzhar."

Ninety years later, another blood libel erupted in Speyer. This time, a nobleman's grandson's body was discovered, and accusations again fell upon the Jews, as expected. Many Jews perished, and the community narrowly escaped these severe trials.

Faced with relentless oppression, the Jews of the Rhine Valley resolved to leave Germany. They undertook a secret exodus to the Land of Israel, led by their spiritual leader, Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg. However, their attempt was thwarted when Emperor Rudolph's agents captured Rabbi Meir, imprisoning him for life. His disciples scattered, with the most notable, Rabbi Asher (the Rosch), escaping to Spain and spreading his teacher's wisdom there.

Emperor Rudolph imposed a new decree that allowed the confiscation of Jewish property from those who left the country. The German authorities repeatedly burdened the Jews of Speyer and the Rhine Valley, leading to their decline. For years, not a single Jew remained in Speyer. It wasn't until the 17th century that the Jewish presence was revived under King Charles' charters, but gradually, Jews were drawn to enlightenment and reform, eventually drifting from their faith. During the Holocaust, this once-thriving community was completely annihilated.