Harry, you always write about the most interesting little snapshots into history. I'm Latter-day Saint (AKA "Mormon"), and that list of questions gave me a visceral reaction. There's something about being in a religious minority that puts an immense amount of psychic pressure on you to perform when sources of authority put you under the microscope. (I've been asked if Mormons vote, and struggled to decide if it was a trick question of some sort...)
Ultimately, what was it that made him issue that decree in 1808? It sounds like they were full-steam-ahead on a democratic approach to a government that included the Jews, but to no avail.
Thanks Kathleen, it is always good to hear from you. I think the answer to your question is that Napoleon wanted to erase all differences between Jews and the wider population as part of his policy of homogenising his empire. The decisions of the Sanhedrin were administrative, they committed the Jewish community to particular behaviours. His other decree, known as the 'infamous' decree, has been described as 'social engineering by law'; it aimed to encourage Jews into new professions by making it harder for them to carry on in their former lives. So yes, as you say, putting them under pressure to conform!
Harry, you always write about the most interesting little snapshots into history. I'm Latter-day Saint (AKA "Mormon"), and that list of questions gave me a visceral reaction. There's something about being in a religious minority that puts an immense amount of psychic pressure on you to perform when sources of authority put you under the microscope. (I've been asked if Mormons vote, and struggled to decide if it was a trick question of some sort...)
Ultimately, what was it that made him issue that decree in 1808? It sounds like they were full-steam-ahead on a democratic approach to a government that included the Jews, but to no avail.
Thanks Kathleen, it is always good to hear from you. I think the answer to your question is that Napoleon wanted to erase all differences between Jews and the wider population as part of his policy of homogenising his empire. The decisions of the Sanhedrin were administrative, they committed the Jewish community to particular behaviours. His other decree, known as the 'infamous' decree, has been described as 'social engineering by law'; it aimed to encourage Jews into new professions by making it harder for them to carry on in their former lives. So yes, as you say, putting them under pressure to conform!
Oh! That is interesting!!
And it makes sense why it was taken so seriously!