Featuring abundant illustrations of religious, historical, and cultural objects and documents, this book traces the history of Judaism during the medieval period, from the 11th to the early 16th century. Two major centers of Jewish culture emerged during the Middle Ages: that of the Ashkenazi Jews, concentrated in the Rhineland, particularly in Speyer, Worms, and Mainz; and that of the Sephardic Jews, located on the Iberian peninsula. Both of these traditional populations experienced a period of great cultural bloom between the 11th and 14th centuries, and the intellectual history and social life of European society as a whole were influenced significantly by Judaism during this era. This book focuses on the relationship between the two traditional Jewish groups and their non-Jewish environment, offering interesting insights into Jewish religious rituals and customs, the structure of Jewish communities, and the everyday lives of Jews. It also casts light on the work and influence of Jewish scholars in religion, philosophy, and other fields while emphasizing the contributions of medieval Jews to the development of European society and economy. Essays by Javier Castaño, Renate Engles, Alfred Haverkamp, Maurice-Ruben Hayoun, Pia Herberer, Martha Keil, Frederek Musall and Werner Transier. Hardcover, 9.5 x 11 in. / 256 pgs / 225 color and 75 b&w.