After a nearly two-thousand-year interlude; and just as Christian Europe was in the throes of the great Witch Hunt and what historians have referred to as "The Age of the Demoniac;" accounts of spirit possession began to proliferate in the Jewish world. Concentrated at first in the Near East but spreading rapidly westward; spirit possession; both benevolent and malevolent; emerged as perhaps the most characteristic form of religiosity in early modern Jewish society.Adopting a comparative historical approach; J. H. Chajes uncovers this strain of Jewish belief to which scant attention has been paid. Informed by recent research in historical anthropology; Between Worlds provides fascinating descriptions of the cases of possession as well as analysis of the magical techniques deployed by rabbinic exorcists to expel the ghostly intruders.Seeking to understand the phenomenon of spirit possession in its full complexity; Chajes delves into its ideational framework—chiefly the doctrine of reincarnation—while exploring its relation to contemporary Christian and Islamic analogues. Regarding spirit possession as a form of religious expression open to—and even dominated by—women; Chajes initiates a major reassessment of women in the history of Jewish mysticism. In a concluding section he examines the reception history of the great Hebrew accounts of spirit possession; focusing on the deployment of these "ghost stories" in the battle against incipient skepticism in the turbulent Jewish community of seventeenth-century Amsterdam.Exploring a phenomenon that bridged learned and ignorant; rich and poor; men and women; Jews and Gentiles; Between Worlds maps for the first time a prominent feature of the early modern Jewish religious landscape; as quotidian as it was portentous: the nexus of the living and the dead.
#559483 in Books University of Pennsylvania Press 1996-02-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .61 x 5.98l; .98 #File Name: 0812215486272 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great for Local History of PA and for German AmericansBy Jamey KouryThe traditional image of Colonial America before the American Revolution is one of a thoroughly English society. This is not a wholly incorrect assessment; as most of the cultural and intellectual power resided with the English-speaking colonists. When one pictures the other aspects of Colonial America; other groups considered are usually the Native Americans. Aaron Spencer Fogleman seeks to correct this assertion by presenting the most overlooked group of settlers in the Colonies: the German-speaking peoples. “Hopefuly Journeys: German Immigration; Settlement; and Political Culture in Colonial America; 1717-1775†is a historical work centered on examining all aspects of early German migration to the New World. Whereas the nineteenth century saw a greater influx of Germans numerically to North America; Fogelman argues that the earlier immigrants had a greater early impact on the development of the ethnic diversity of what became an American Republic.In the introduction; Fogelman sets forth the basic structure of “Hopeful Journeys†and explains the initial immigrations of Germans to the New World prior to 1717. He sees three main waves of immigration. From 1683-1709 the German immigration was precipitated by religious persecution. (5) These German groups were of radical Christian faiths not welcomed in their respective German lands; groups such as Quakers and Mennonites. (5) The second wave of immigration began in 1709 with southeastern Germans and Swiss fleeing agricultural disaster. (5) In an attempt to attract laborers to the British colonies in America; Queen Anne sought to export these fleeing German peoples to the New World; even at the Crown’s expense. (5) This experiment ultimately failed as the English were incapable of managing the large number of people seeking refuge in America. Fogleman’s main study does not include these two earlier movements of migration; but looks at the far larger number of German-speaking people moving to North America after 1717. Eventually; from 1717 until just before the outbreak of the American Revolution; “more than 80;000 German-speaking immigrants [decided to] try their luck in the New Worldâ€. (6). “Hopefully Journey’s†focus is “to link the experience of the Germans; the only substantial non-British European immigrant group in the eighteenth century; to the larger issues of the day during this period of crisis in late colonial America.†(11)Part one of “Hopeful Journeys†is an examination of why certain German-speaking peoples left their homes to endure the arduous voyage across the Atlantic. In his assessment; Fogleman notes that the majority of immigration came from the southeastern German lands of the Palatinate and parts of Switzerland. (18) The reasons for the immigration from this specific area of Germany are multifaceted. The devastation of the Thirty Years War was focused in this area of Germany during the seventeenth century; and by the eighteenth it had only begun to recover. In fact; the population was increasing to the point it was untenable; nearly a 70 percent increase from 1720 to 1800. (23) Fogleman uses a great many charts; primary documents and maps to assist in asserting his claims. Of note are the documents associated with Karl Fredrick; margrave of Baden-Durlach; located in the Palatinate. Through governmental records of Baden-Durlach the population increase in noted; as well as the linked issues.The dramatic rise in population decreased the cultivatable land for peasants; exacerbating food and religious tensions. Southeastern Germany was more religiously diverse than other parts of Europe; encompassing Lutherans; Catholics and radical Christians within a small area. Combined together; the population density and religious strife; many from the southeastern German lands sought new settlements. North America was not the obvious choice however. Eastern Europe was the traditional destination for many Germans. Prussia sought new settlers for its eastern regions and newly conquered Polish lands; and Catherine the Great of Russia sought Germans to settle in the lower Volga region. (33) The voyage across the Atlantic was dangerous; but many Germans decided it had its advantages; namely greater amounts of land available than in eastern Europe; and a greater degree of both personal and religious freedoms. (34)German immigration to America did not occur in large groups; such as with religious sects like the Puritans in New England. Rather; the Germans came in small groups; usually families or groups of families from the same village. (37) Part two of “Hopeful Journeys†examines the travels; tribulations and reasons for Germans to seek life in the “neulandâ€; and specifically “Pinβel-Faniaâ€. (71) Philadelphia was the primary entry port for most migration to North America; being the largest and busiest port in the American colonies. William Penn’s colony; with its greater degree of Christian religious freedom was an initial settling point for many Germans. Most immigrants sought out areas with an already established German influence or settlement. These settlements usually were reminiscent of their hometowns back in Europe; usually drawn up along the same religious or regional lines. (80) In Pennsylvania; a distinct and clearly defined “Pennsylvania German†landscape was in existence by the 1760’s. (81) In the three original counties of Pennsylvania; Chester; Philadelphia; and Bucks; Germans constituted roughly thirty eight percent of the population by 1790; whereas those of English heritage only twenty five percent. (82)“Hopeful Journeys†uses regional and religious sources to chart the course and variety of German immigration. The distribution of German settlement as compiled by various demographers over the years was crucial to Fogleman’s study. The sources and notes used for “Hopeful Journeys†are heavily discussed and illustrated in the work’s large appendix and notes sections. These two sections alone comprise nearly one third of the work’s volume; pages 156-235. Although the work uses charts and diagrams throughout; it is in the final section that these are explained in greater detail and added to. The notes section is critical to exploring Folgeman’s research; which is seemingly extensive both from German and English language and national sources. Mentioned previously; the majority of early German settlement came from the southeastern region of Germany and Switzerland. This area encompassed a large diversity of religious movements; and many Germans settled near where other members of their faith were already established. Fogleman uses several case studies as examples; such as the Moravians or Schwenkenfelders. While the German settlement of North America was widely dispersed at varying points of the eighteenth century; it began centralize in Pennsylvania and eventually returned to the colony. (107) In this way “Hopeful Journeys†is as much a work on the history of German immigration to the New World as it is a history of the early settlement and growth of Pennsylvania.In the final chapters of the work; Fogelman addresses the political roles Germans played in Pennsylvania politics. Most Germans coming to the New World sought a new existence comprising the goals of religious freedom and the availability of land. These two ideas are what prompted any political action by the new German migrants. (144) Germans wished for new lands; but also protection from Indians. This desire for protection caused initial friction with the overwhelmingly Quaker government of the colony. In later years; the German settlers found new friction with Thomas Penn in land disputes. In the summation of Fogleman; the Germans; “supported whomever they thought could help them in this pursuit of land; prosperity; and security…â€. (151) This willingness to shift from faction to faction irked many English-speaking politicians; such as Benjamin Franklin; as they perceived the Germans to be incongruent and shifting. (151)The final assessment of “Hopeful Journeys†seeks to answer the question: did the Germans become “Americanizedâ€? The answer is a compromise; both yes and no. The Germans that moved to the American colonies helped to make the colonies a diverse; multi-ethnic community. The Germans entered into politics and public debate; but still retained their own culture and language. (152) However; this slowly developed into a uniquely American-German culture; distinct from the Old World. (152)“Hopeful Journeys†is a brief text; but delves into a unique topic of early colonial America. In many ways; it serves two purposes; presenting the Germans as an important ethnic group to eighteenth century America and how Pennsylvania evolved to be their primary home. In a sense; it serves a small audience; and this is clear with it being recommended on the inner cover as the Pennsylvania German Society’s book of the year. Nevertheless; for one studying the early period of American colonization it adds a touch of flavor and diversity to the story. In utilizing some first had accounts as sources; Fogleman adds personal touches to his overall story; drawing the reader in deeper.Despite its brevity; it is well written; entertaining and extensively researched. It is clear the pains Aaron Fogleman undertook to acquire sources from both the United States and Europe. In his notes and appendix; every chart and theory are explained in greater detail than in the text itself. While this format is difficult for a reader seeking greater information on a topic immediately; it allows for a more uninterrupted reading of the work. As a quick; easily comprehended work; it is a worthwhile read to a myriad of persons: to the student of overall early American history; the German-American interested in heritage; or the Pennsylvanian seeking greater understanding as to the beginnings of the area.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great for those with a very spacific intrest.By William FrisingerThis is only for those wishing to understand early German immigration through Philadelphia Pennsylvania but if that is you; then this book is a must. It is an outgrowth of a thesis the author rote and it has that stile to it.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. So I'll keep looking for them in other ways but I would recommend the book to help others understand what it really ...By sherry lincolnI really have learned a lot and newly appreciate the hardships my ancestors would have experienced. It explains why they settled where they settled. The had no money and that explains my discouragement that I didn't see a mention of anyone of them. I expected that of course but still couldn't help but hope I might find a lead that I have not yet found as to where they came from and how they moved to their final destination. So I'll keep looking for them in other ways but I would recommend the book to help others understand what it really was like and how grateful we should be to our ancestors that they persevered. Thanks
