Plague and piety Yiddish medical literature in early modern Europe

This dissertation examines responses to epidemics in Yiddish remedy literature within Ashkenazi communities in Western Europe during the long eighteenth century (1660-1800), a period when Yiddish was the vernacular language of all Ashkenazi Jews. It aims to advance scholarly understanding of how Yiddish remedy texts addressed epidemics, a topic previously underexplored as a cohesive entity. By positioning the Yiddish remedy corpus within the broader Jewish remedy literature and early modern European vernacular traditions, this study highlights its significance in the context of medical and religious strategies for managing epidemics.
The dissertation builds on Gentilcore’s model of three concentric rings—“medical,” “ecclesiastical,” and “popular”—to analyze how Yiddish remedy literature reflects a complex interplay between these domains. It argues that considerations of piety were integral to all forms of remedy, whether grounded in medical or magical practices. Additionally, the research introduces the concept of “Bio-Political Decrees,” inspired by Foucault, to extend Gentilcore’s model and explore the impact of legislative decisions on public health.
The study also critically evaluates Shlomo Berger’s thesis that vernacular publications aimed to enhance religious piety, through an analysis of four case studies: (1) Seyfer Yerum Moyshe (1679), focusing on traditional medical knowledge and piety; (2) Seyfer Refues u’Segules (1703), which blends mystical practices with medical remedies; (3) Seyfer Atsires Hamageyfe (1770), a plague tractate reflecting Jewish-Christian scholarly interactions; and (4) The Maskiel El Dal Manifest (1808), highlighting Dr. Ezechiel Joseph Goldsmit’s advocacy for smallpox vaccination in Amsterdam.
The dissertation demonstrates how political and scientific developments from the nineteenth century to the present continue to shape public health strategies. It underscores the ongoing relevance of the intersection between spirituality, medicine, and politics in health discourse, offering insights into its implications for modern public health.