| This dissertation is a pioneering work in the area of Hungarian Jewish history, focusing on a less known and least studied subject, “A History of the Jews in Hungary During Ottoman Domination: 1526–1686.” It seeks to answer the question how this tiny community became so important and significant for both the Ottoman and Habsburg administrations. Furthermore, the uniqueness of this community is also investigated and evaluated. Hungarian and Jewish co-existence or the lack thereof will be analyzed and why the Free Royal Cities of Habsburg Hungary advocated the expulsion of the Jews from within their walls. Attention will be given to the declining relationship between the King and the Jews and what prompted the strange and unexpected alliance of wealthy Jews and Hungarian magnates. The spiritual life of the Jews in Hungary and their connection with Shabbatai Zevi's movement will be addressed, utilizing sixteenth and seventeenth century Hebrew and Judeo-German source materials. The siege of Buda and its devastating impact on the city's Jewish community will be examined, again through Latin, German, Hungarian, Hebrew and Judeo-German reports, documents and literary works.; Because of the absence of modern studies, this dissertation is based largely on archival materials, books and pamphlets authored in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. I spent a couple of months researching archives in Budapest, Hungary, and libraries in the United States, Hungary and Israel.; While the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries for both Magyars and Jews in Hungary were a period of decline and regression, the gap between Jews and Hungarians broadened and hostile attitudes towards each other further increased. Nevertheless, I have uncovered beautiful examples of caring and compassion towards the Jewish victims of the 1686 siege of Buda that were demonstrated by Hungarian Christian individuals of diverse economic strata.; This dissertation demonstrates that the uniqueness of the Jews of Hungary was due to their ability to connect with both the Habsburg and Ottoman administrations and take on the role of intermediary.; The chapters of this dissertation are complemented by English, Hebrew and Judeo-German Appendices that consist of a sampling of the original materials and their English translations. |
