The Reformation and the Jews

Background: Protestantism and the Reformation

Martin Luther began the Reformation with his 95 Theses (1517), challenging the authority of the Pope and corruption within the Catholic Church.

Luther Emphasized

• Direct reading of the Bible
  
  

• Personal faith over ritual or Church hierarchy

Luther Goal

recover the “true message” of Jesus, which he believed the Catholic Church had obscured.

belief of protestants, including luther 

Early Protestants accused the Catholic Church of “Judaizing” — meaning they thought the Church had become too focused on external rituals and laws (like those in Judaism).

Judensau (“Jew’s pig”)

a grotesque and antisemitic image from medieval Christian art; Depicted Jews in obscene contact with a female pig — an unclean animal in Judaism.

common depictions of judensau

1. Suckling from the pig

2. Eating its feces

3. Searching the Talmud inside the pig

symbolism of judensau 

deep-rooted Christian contempt toward Jews.

judensau was populairzed 

During the Reformation, Luther and other Protestants revived and popularized these older antisemitic tropes.

Luther’s Early Attitudes Toward Jews (Hope for Conversion)

• Initially conciliatory and sympathetic toward Jews.
  
  

• Encouraged better treatment, believing Jews would convert once exposed to reformed Christianity.

• Luther saw Jewish scholarship as useful for reforming Christianity.

Part of Christian Hebraism during the Renaissance

• Scholars studied Hebrew texts to better understand Christian scripture.
  
  

• Belief that returning to Hebrew sources would help recover Christianity’s roots.

Luther’s theology depended on the belief that

Christianity was the true fulfillment of Judaism.

If Jews recognized this truth, they would conver

confirming the legitimacy of his reform.

rejection of divine truth

When Jews did not convert, Luther saw it as a rejection of divine truth, undermining his movement.

When Jewish communities did not convert

Luther’s attitude shifted to deep hostility.

Luther later Described Jews as:

• “Devil’s children” destined for damnation.
  
  

“Mazy usurers” exploiting Christians.

Luther later advocated for 

• Expelling Jews from Christian lands.
  
  

• Outlawing Judaism.
  
  

• Destroying synagogues and confiscating Jewish texts.

instead of his own ideology

he blaimed jews — reinforcing a theological basis for antisemitic persecution.

Christian Hebraism

A Renaissance movement where Christian scholars studied Hebrew and Jewish texts to deepen understanding of Christianity.

luther wanted thought

The Church had been corrupted and needed to return to biblical (Jewish) sources — valued Jewish texts only as tools to strengthen Christianity — not to respect Judaism itself.

transition helped shape

modern Christian antisemitism, blending theological contempt with social and political persecution.