“I bear the burden of treating the gentiles”: Jewish Halakhic Authorities’ Attitudes towards Treating Muslims in the 12th–18th Centuries

Abstract

The paper focuses on the religious, social, and historical aspects of the ancient Jewish prohibition against treating non-Jews. It discusses the attitude of rabbinic authorities towards providing medical service to Muslims in medieval and pre-modern times. It points out that circumstances did not enable the public to fulfill these instructions to the letter, and therefore many halakhic authorities in the post-Talmudic period dispensed with the prohibition almost completely. The question of treating Muslims was discussed by halakhic authorities in both Christian and Muslim countries. Stricter views were voiced concerning the treatment of Christians, but the dispensation to treat Muslims and deliver their babies was more pronounced. Halakhic authorities claimed that the original prohibition regarded idolaters, while Muslims do not engage in idolatry. Another major claim supporting the concession was a concern for animosity and harassment within the non-Jewish environment.