Early Modern Jewish History

By Mark Miller
  • Period: Sep 16, 1400 to Sep 16, 1500

    Begining of the enlightenment

    Invention of the printing press spread knowledge widely and created new opportunities for Jewish scholars and for Christian scholars to learn Jewish texts.
  • Sep 16, 1450

    Printing press

    The era of early modern Jewish history began with the invention of the printing press. The invention of the printing press spread Jewish texts among Jews and Christians. It allowed Jews to own texts, which became more affordable and available. In 1484, the Soncino publishers published the first tractate of the Babylonian Talmud.
  • Period: Sep 16, 1450 to

    Early Modern Jewish period

  • Sep 16, 1454

    Gutenberg bible

  • Mar 31, 1492

    Expulsion of the Jews from Spain

    Jews from the expulsion migrated to different countries across Europe and North Africa. Spain’s edict also changed other countries’ perception of the Jew. For example, in Portugal, the Jews were initially accepted, but in 1496 also forced the Jews to leave or, in 1497 be baptized. The Jews in Spain had prospered and contributed to their country, and the expulsion reversed their situation. Jews come into contact with Jews from different backgrounds and origins.
  • Period: Sep 16, 1492 to

    Era of dispersion and resettlement of the Jews

    Jews spread around Europe, and even faraway places like the Americas, after leaving Spain.
  • Sep 16, 1496

    Portugal decrees expulsion of Jews

  • Sep 16, 1497

    Portugal gives option of mandatory baptism

  • Period: Sep 16, 1570 to

    Era of false messiahs

    Many Jews (and Marranos) follow false messiahs, and then are disillusioned after the messiahs was shown to be false. Shabbetai Zvi claims to be messiah, then converts, shattering the Jewish world.
  • Sep 16, 1580

    Council of the four lands

    Jewish self-governments in Polish lands, then grew to be used in other countries including Lithuania. Led to the decline of rabbinic power on social issues, and rise of lay leadership.

  • Birth of Shabbetai Zvi