A Historian in Exile

This insightful exploration reveals how A Historian in Exile connects medieval and early modern Jewish experiences, emphasizing identity and societal change.

In A Historian in Exile, Jeremy Cohen explores the significant work of Solomon ibn Verga, specifically his text Shevet Yehudah. This work serves as a crucial link between the medieval and early modern periods, highlighting a growing awareness that a new societal order was emerging. Ibn Verga, a Jewish scholar affected by the expulsion from Spain and Portugal in the 1490s, penned Shevet Yehudah around 1520, which became one of the most widely read Hebrew texts of the sixteenth century. The book's title page promises to recount the harrowing experiences of Jews in non-Jewish lands, addressing themes of persecution, expulsion, and communal suffering.

Cohen argues that Shevet Yehudah encapsulates the collective memory of a Jewish community in crisis, while simultaneously shedding light on a transformative moment in European history. The text reflects the complexities of a world undergoing renaissance, reformation, and global exploration, while also grappling with the challenges faced by both Christian majorities and Jewish minorities. Ibn Verga's experiences as one of the many Iberian Jewish conversos inform his narrative, as he navigates the shifting boundaries of identity and religious affiliation in a time of upheaval.

Through A Historian in Exile, readers gain insight into how ibn Verga's historical narrative challenges prevailing assumptions of his time. Cohen illustrates how the text calls for introspection among Jews regarding their role in the hostility they faced and suggests a path forward for a people seeking stability in an ever-changing world. This work serves as a vital contribution to understanding the intersections of history, identity, and societal transformation.