We learn about the circumstances of the settlement of the Jews in Speyer in 1084 from the following Hebrew account:
At the outset, when we came to establish our residence in Speyer – may its foundations never falter! – we did so as a result of the fire that broke out in the city of Mainz.
The city of Mainz was the city of our origin and the residence of our ancestors, the ancient and revered community, praised above all communities in the empire. All the Jews’ quarter and their street was burned, and we stood in great fear of the burghers. At the same time, Meir Cohen came from Worms, bearing a copy of Torat Cohanim [either Leviticus or the midrash on Leviticus]. The burghers thought that it was silver or gold and slew him…
R. Meshullam said to them: “Fear not, for all this was ordained.” We then decided to set forth from there and to settle wherever we might find a fortified city. Perhaps the compassionate Lord might show compassion and the merciful one might help to sustain us, as in fact He does this very day.
The bishop of Speyer greeted us warmly, sending his ministers and soldiers after us. He gave us a place in the city and expressed his intention to build about us a strong wall to protect us from our enemies, to afford us fortification. He pitied us as a man pities his son. We then set forth our prayers before our Creator, morning and evening, for a number of years.
[Lightly modified, from R. Chazan, ed., Church, State, and Jew in the Middle Ages, p. 59]
Question: What do we learn from this document about the circumstances behind the Jews’ settling in Speyer? What to we learn about Christian-Jewish relations?
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