I mentioned the Black Death to a small handful of people during this contemporary plague we’re experiencing—which isn’t much variation from the 15 years before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those who know me best understand I’ve lived my adult life *desperately* waiting for opportunities to discuss the Black Death (and the Wars of the Roses and Caesar’s assassination and the French Revolution and the history of world slavery; obviously it’s the light topics that win me over).
But for those I spoke to recently, Jews poisoning the well came up, along with the actual reasons why Jews often died of the Black Death less than others (spoiler: we didn’t poison any wells), including:
- Constant ritual washing of hands
- Bathing at least weekly, before Shabbat
- Not mixing with non-Jews, especially during meals
- Living secluded in the Jewish ghettos
You can read more about it in this great article on a German exhibit of the Black Death that I WISH I could visit, except plague. Right now. Staying at home.
BUT BUT BUT!! There are multiple videos by the Museum of Archaeology in Herne, providing VIRTUAL TOURS.
\o/ Enjoy.
