La aljama judía de Jaca en la época de la Disputa de Tortosa (1410-1420)

Abstract

The author in this article analyse both the external and internal structure of the Jewish Community in Jaca in the context of the Dispute of Tortosa, taking as a reference point the 1410-1420 decade; and using as a basis the notarial and the Royal Chancellery documentation. In the first part, the restrictive social-economical and segregated measures adopted by Pope Benedict XII are studied. With a population of nearly 425 inhabitants, the Jewish quarter possessed a consolidated political configuration, where the judicial and governing institutions acquired relevance, the latter governed by three "adelantados". The society was structured in three hands (major, medium, minor), taking into account tributary criteria, thus confirming the presence of city corporations (almosna, Cabbarim). From the beginning of the 15th Century, the Jewish quarter experimented an increase in the debt acquiring resources through censual subscriptions. The Jewish quarter situated in origen between Door of Saint Ginés and Saint Nicholas Street, suffered a verocious fire in 1375 and, as a consequence, a partial reconstruction of the houses had to be carried out. There exists, in the economical area, an important Jewish presence in the exploitation and commercialization of wool, and also a clear predominance in the leather and shoes craft industries. As an appendix the responsa of Rabi Salomon ben Adret and Isaac ben Sheshet referred to our kahal are added.