1st Edition

The Jews Of Iraq 3000 Years Of History And Culture

By Nissim Rejwan Copyright 1986

    This book provides an account of the Jews of Iraq, their history, culture and society. It covers the Iraqi Jewish history in three parts: from the Assyrian Captivity to the Arab Conquest (731 bc–ad 641); the encounter with Islam (641–1850); and the last hundred years (1850–1951).

    Preface -- From the Assyrian Captivity to the Arab Conquest (731 bc–ad 641) -- Roots -- The Lure of Exile -- The Scribes and the Birth of the Synagogue -- The Way They Lived -- Greeks, Romans, Seleucids, Sassanians -- Family, Home and Education -- A Neat Division of Labour: Exilarch and Gaon -- From Mishnah to Talmud -- The Talmud in Action -- Babylonia Assumes Leadership -- The Encounter with Islam (641–1850) -- A Deep Sigh of Relief -- Islam and the Jews: Theory and Practice -- Baghdad’s Jewish Population -- Messianism and Karaism: Rabbinic Judaism Challenged -- Saadia’s Legacy -- The Last of the Geonim -- The Dark Ages of Iraqi Jewry -- Lasting Imprint -- 100 Years of Turmoil -- Recovery and Reassertion -- A Century of Radical Change (1850–1951) -- The Road to Equality -- Exilarch to Nasi to Hakham Bashi -- The Impact of Modern Education -- World War I -- Rumours of a Brave New World -- Mandate and Independence -- The Farhud and its Consequences -- Youth in Revolt -- The Politics of Extortion -- The Exodus -- Appendix

    Biography

    Nissim Rejwan