Erasmus and the Jews: Revisiting the Narrative

What is it about?

New revisionist perspectives of Erasmus' attitude towards the Jews. The standard view of Erasmus's so-called A-Semitism/toleration concerning the Jews is refuted.

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Why is it important?

Understandably, it is difficult for scholars who were raised and trained in light of the narrative of an a-Semitic and tolerant Erasmus to recognize and accept the antisemitic elements in his writings: that he hated not just Judaism and Biblical-virtual Jews but also living European Jews, and idealized a Europe free of Jews. In short, it is time to reconsider the standard narrative and recognize those aspects that have been rejected or disregarded by most scholars as to provide a more comprehensive and ethically balanced narrative of Erasmus and the Jews.