Jews and Crime in Medieval Europe

Jews and Crime in Medieval Europe was published by Wayne State University Press in 2020 as part of their long-standing commitment to scholarly works in Jewish history and culture. Authored by Ephraim Shoham-Steiner, a professor of medieval Jewish history at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the book emerged from extensive research into the complex social and legal dynamics of Jewish minority life within the broader European medieval landscape.

The book explores the intersection of social norms and legal transgressions, challenging traditional narratives by examining how Jewish communities navigated the legal systems of their host societies. Shoham-Steiner’s design for the work focuses on meticulous archival analysis, moving away from anecdotal history toward a structural understanding of how crime was perceived, punished, and mitigated. Upon its release, the volume was recognized by academic historians for its nuanced approach to the social history of the Middle Ages.