Persecution, Polemic, and Dialogue

“Few bring to the subject of Jewish-Christian relations the singular blend of insight, erudition, and passion that characterizes David Berger’s Persecution, Polemic, and Dialogue; and few collections of essays constitute as coherent and accessible an introduction to a difficult subject as this volume certainly does. Professor Berger’s studies of the major issues in the encounter between Jews and Christians during the Middle Ages, in the way that modern writers have understood that encounter, and in that encounter’s enduring impact on Jewish-Christian interaction today reflect keen critical scholarship on the one hand, and a resolute commitment to Jewish tradition on the other. Without compromising either, Berger boldly addresses the thorniest, most sensitive of issues – from the Crusades to the blood libels to the supersessionism of the present pope – with candor, fairness, and wit. No reader, of whatever faith or critical disposition, will leave this book unrewarded.” -- Jeremy Cohen, Abraham and Edita Spiegel Family Foundation Professor of European Jewish History, Tel Aviv University
"This masterful collection of essays is vintage David Berger – thoughtful, erudite, engaged, broad and insightful. Trained as a medievalist, specializing in the Jewish-Christian debate, Prof. Berger demonstrates that to understand the present relation between the two religions, one must go back in history and see what lessons can be derived from the past. Published over the course of a long career, these articles have stood the test of time and retain their vitality and liveliness, providing a model of careful and independent thinking on oftentimes sensitive subjects." -- Daniel J. Lasker, Norbert Blechner Professor of Jewish Values, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
"Persecution, Polemic and Dialogue: Essays in Jewish-Christian Relations (Academic Studies Press, 2010), is written by a true scholar who demonstrates how to write medieval Jewish history without an agenda." -- Martin Lockshin * Canadian Jewish News *
"Berger (Jewish history, Yeshiva U.) has collected most of his writing about Jewish-Christian relations, which includes essays, articles, reviews, talks, and an introduction to a book. Covering first the Middle Ages then modern and contemporary times, his topics include some new approaches to Medieval anti-Semitism from crusades to blood libels to expulsions, the image and destiny of Gentiles in Ashkanazic polemical literature, The Barcelona Disputation, the Jewish contribution to Christianity, and reflections on conversion and proselytizing in Judaism and Christianity." -- Annotation ©2010 Book News Inc. Portland, OR
"All the chapters are thoughtful, clearly-written, and persuasive when arguing a position. Even those whose titles or subject matter might seem daunting to the nonmedievalist (e.g., "From Crusades to Blood Libels to Expulsions . . ." and "Mission to the Jews and Jewish-Christian Contacts in the Polemical Literature of the High Middle Ages") are rewarding and surprisingly accessible. Every academic and seminary library should acquire this book, and any serious student of Jewish-Christian relations would profit from reading it." -- David P. Efroymson, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA * Journal of Ecumenical Studies *
“This volume is a thought-provoking collection of research published by the eminent historian David Berger on historical and contemporary aspects of Jewish-Christian encounters, spanning a long and distinguished academic career (1956-2007), during which the field of medieval Jewish Studies has changed dramatically. . . . Despite the remarkable changes in the field of the study of Jewish-Christian relations in recent decades, Berger’s essays have aged well. There is much in this book that is challenging and stimulating, much of it is still topical and relevant and the book is permeated by a strong sense of intellectual fairness and balance. The historian’s passion for his subject is felt on every page.” -- Maria Diemling, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK * Journal of Modern Jewish Studies, vol. 12, issue 3 (December 2013) *