Jews in Muslim Lands, 1750–1830: Volume I: The Ottoman Middle East

This tour of the Jewish communities of the Ottoman Middle East reveals a diverse world with different landscapes, societies, and economic activities. It explores the struggles of Christians and Jews to establish their position in the Muslim world and how they responded to modernity. The main focus is on the notables, who were close to the ruling elite or involved in international trade, offering new insights into their strengths and weaknesses and their eventual downfall.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2023
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

This captivating journey through the Jewish communities of the Ottoman Middle East, just before the upheavals that would rock the Ottoman territories, unveils a surprisingly diverse world. Exploring Istanbul, Damascus, Acre, Jerusalem, Aleppo, Basra, and Cairo, we witness a tapestry of landscapes, encounter diverse Jewish societies, and delve into the array of their economic endeavors. We also observe the intricate dynamics between Christians and Jews as they vie for dominance in the Muslim world and secure their livelihoods. Throughout this exploration, the author reevaluates fundamental questions such as what constitutes a 'diaspora,' to what extent the surrounding culture influenced these Jewish communities, and most intriguingly, how did these communities adapt to the advent of modernity? While the narrative encompasses the entirety of Jewish society, it primarily focuses on its most influential members: the notables, who were either closely connected to the ruling elite or engaged in international trade. Tsur delves into their strengths and weaknesses, explores the interplay between their position and that of the broader Jewish community, and analyzes their eventual downfall. His study provides fresh perspectives on the social mechanisms that facilitated their close alliances with the ruling elite and their ability to thrive within it.

Weight: 664g
Dimension: 179 x 250 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781904113416