Tolerance in the Ottoman Empire: The Jewish Experience

History is something I take an interest in, not just during the term time, but outside of it too. Over the summer I had the pleasure of staying in Cumbria for a while and here I read Diana Darke's fantastic book on the Ottoman empire. In light of the intolerant society I feel is developing today, this book reminded me of how immigrants enrich societies and inspired me to explore how historical lessons can inform our present. Perhaps you’ll find the historical lessons as fascinating as I did.

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The Ottoman Empire controlled vast swathes of Southern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa between the 13th and 20th centuries. Its impact has been enduring on aspects of culture, but what is most fascinating to me is its openness to immigration. Those living in modern society will be aware of the increasingly intolerant society we have come to inhabit. So, this week, I take a step back to examine how the Ottoman Empire fostered a culture of inclusion for Jewish communities and what this can tell us about attitudes to immigration. 

For large parts of medieval history, Jewish communities were subject to persecution. Following their role in the death of Christ, the Medieval Church often vilified the community. This had led to frequent attacks and a rising ‘persecuting society’ (as argued by R. I. Moore) as seen in the 12th and 13th centuries. As a result, the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215 mandated the identification of Jewish people by requiring the wearing of a yellow tabula (a tablet indicating that the wearer was Jewish). Isolationist tactics, therefore, sought to distance the community, making it susceptible to attack. 

Diana Darke argues that at the heart of Ottoman principles was the fundamental belief that all, including refugees, should be made welcome. As such, the Ottoman Empire saw the potential of Jewish refugees from places like Spain (where they were expelled in the late 15th-century) to its advantage. Known for their trading abilities and skills in metalwork and finance, the community was welcomed. They furthered the empire's trading potential and the wealth it could achieve. In essence, immigration was viewed positively. 

While the narrative thus far has been that immigration was viewed as solely positive, there were often points of potential contention. One such way this is seen is through taxation. For example, there were different rates of tax between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Although this is a minor point, it could cause issues and lead to communities being pitted against one another. This is important when considering how individuals could find their place in society. Trade played a crucial role for Jewish communities. Within the Ottoman Empire, business owners benefited from acceptance and freedom to trade. Even though non-Muslims paid higher taxes, this did not prevent communities from thriving over the long term. They were also given places to settle and encouraged to do so - quite the opposite of what they were experiencing under Ferdinand and Isabella in Spain during the 15th-century Reconquista. 

By having a welcoming place, the community was able to prosper and indeed thrive in their new homes. This was vital for them to feel secure and a part of the Empire. In the 15th-century, one Rabbi commented that the community had “nothing to complain of” and received greater freedoms than other parts of Europe. He detailed that here, “the Jew is not compelled to wear a yellow star as a badge of shame.” Dress being used as a mark of distinction had clearly marginalised the community; no longer did they face this in the Ottoman Empire. As such, they felt welcomed and could establish roots without the threat of a ‘persecuting society’ on their heels. 

What can the treatment of minorities in a former empire teach us about how modern society should welcome immigrants? Now, more than ever, immigration is used to scapegoat issues in society. The Ottomans provide the critical example of how welcoming a group that had faced persecution, allowing it to settle and establish itself in its communities, enabled both parties to prosper. While there were examples of factionalism of the Jewish community, overall their experience and integration were seen as a positive addition to the multicultural background of the Empire. Today, immigrants are not being given the same recognition or welcome for their meaningful contributions. Here in the UK, immigrants come to work in our vital public services, such as the NHS and the education sector. They are invaluable to our country and communities, so why are they not viewed in the same light?

If you take anything from the post, I implore you to look to the past, see how societies have been improved by the welcoming of others, and go yourself and welcome those others today, too. 

Don't just read what I think, see what the proper academics say:

Darke, Diana. The Ottomans: A Cultural Legacy. Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2022.

Moore, R. I. The Formation of a Persecuting Society: Authority and Deviance in Western Europe, 950–1250. 2nd ed., Blackwell Publishing, 2007.