Awkward History Check: The First Crusade
It is always fascinating when people invoke the "eleventh century" and a "Crusade" as a beautiful model for Christian-Jewish cooperation. If you actually open a history book from that era, the reality of the First Crusade (which kicked off in 1095) looks a little less like a friendly joint venture and a lot more like a horror movie for Europe and the Middle East's Jewish communities.
Exhibit A: The Rhineland Massacres (1096)
Before the Crusaders even made it to the Middle East, they decided to "warm up" in Germany. Count Emicho’s army targeted Jewish communities in Speyer, Worms, and Mainz.
The result? 2,000 to 5,000+ European Jews murdered or forced into exile.
Exhibit B: The Siege of Jerusalem (1099)
When the Crusaders finally took Jerusalem, they celebrated by herding the city's Jewish population into the chief synagogue and burning it down.
Inviting your Jewish friends to an 11th-century style "Crusade" is wild. Maybe pick literally any other metaphor next time. 0/5 stars.
In summary, I hope anyone who wants a new crusade can choke on their own vomit.
sorry if that went dark
פְּרִי
Shannon Quinn 