Transformation of Jewish political culture

Intercession from the early modern period to the 19th century

What is intercession (Hebr. shtadlanut), and how do we identify the characteristics of Jewish intercession in the long history of the Jewish diaspora in Europe? How did different political, constitutional and legal frameworks impact on Jewish diplomacy, and how did Jewish intercessors develop their strategies? Which role was played by traditional narratives, how did Jewish communities adapt to political change? These are some of the lead questions in a project to look at the history of intercession in the history of the European Jewish diaspora. It includes a comparative analysis between diplomatic strategies of different Jewish communities as well as one between Jewish and Christian minority communities.

What is intercession? At the most basic, descriptive level, it was an act to address a concern or a request on behalf of an individual or a group of people to a person, a political agency or an institution in full or partial control of the individual or the group on behalf of which this request was formulated. An intercession could be submitted in writing or in person, and it could be formulated on behalf of somebody else, through an intermediary, as the result of being requested – and sometimes paid – to act as an intercessor.

The full range of personal, economic, and political relations between the interceding individual or group on the one side, and the person (or institution) to whom the request was submitted defined the channels of communication and the efficiency of the intervention. Such an understanding of intercession excludes petitions of individuals on their own behalf, however the fate of an individual – for example to save a defendant in a ritual murder accusation – could well be at the heart of an intercessory effort.

So far, the following case studies have been discussed in academic publications:

These will be complemented by a monograph, the first of its kind dedicated to this topic.