  A consensus developed that the charge was false.  The governor of Rhodes sent the case to the central government, which initiated a formal inquiry into the affair. In July 1840, that investigation established the innocence of the Jewish community. Finally, in November of the same year, the Ottoman sultan issued a decree (firman) denouncing the blood libel as false.

Background

Jewish community

The existence of a Jewish community in Rhodes was first documented toward the end of the Hellenistic period.  In a Roman decree dated to 142 BC, Rhodes is listed among the areas notified of the renewal of the pact of friendship between the Roman senate and the Jewish nation. The Jews of Rhodes are mentioned in documents at the time of the Arab conquest of the island in the 7th century. In the 12th century, Benjamin of Tudela found some 400 Jews in the city of Rhodes.

In 1481 and 1482, earthquakes destroyed the Jewish quarter, so that only 22 families remained in the city. After an epidemic of plague in 1498–1500, the Knights Hospitaller, who ruled the island at that time, expelled those of the remaining Jews who would not be baptized. In the next two decades, the Hospitallers brought to the island between 2,000 and 3,000 captured Jews who were kept as slaves to work on fortifications.

In 1522, these Jews and their descendants helped the Ottomans seize Rhodes. Under the Ottoman rule, Rhodes became an important Sephardi center, home to many famous rabbis. By the 19th century, the wealthier Jews were merchants in cloth, silk, sulfur, and resins.  The rest were small shopkeepers and artisans, street vendors, and fishermen. The community was governed by a council of seven officials. Sources give the number of Jews during the 19th century between 2,000 and 4,000.

Blood libel against the Jews in the Ottoman Empire
The blood libel against Jews originated in England in 1144 with the case of William of Norwich.  The accusation that Jews used the blood of Christian children to prepare matzos for the Passover became a staple of Christian antisemitism of the Middle Ages, with the total number of recorded ritual murder accusations reaching 150.  With the strengthening of standards of evidence in legal cases, the number of charges began to decline, and few blood libel cases reached European courts after 1772.  Nevertheless, some instances of ritual murder
A consensus developed that the charge was false.   The governor of Rhodes sent the subject to the cardinal government, which initiated a conventional question into the affair. In July 1840, that investigation established the artlessness of the Jewish community. Finally, in November of the like class, the Ottoman sultan issued a decree (firman) denouncing the lineage libel as false. 

 Background 

 Jewish community 

 The existence of a Jewish residential district in Rhodes was first documented toward the goal of the Hellenistic period.   In a Roman decree date to 142 BC, Rhodes is listed among the areas notified of the refilling of the pact of friendship between the Roman senate and the Jewish nation. The Jews of Rhodes are mentioned in documents at the clock time of the Arab conquest of the island in the 7th century. In the 12th century, Benjamin of Tudela find some 400 Jews in the city of Rhodes. 

 In 1481 and 1482, earthquakes destroyed the Jewish quarter, so that only 22 families remain in the city. After an epidemic of plague in 1498–1500, the Knights Hospitaller, who ruled the island at that time, expelled those of the remaining Jews who would not be baptized. In the next two decades, the Hospitallers brought to the island between 2,000 and 3,000 captured Jews who were keep as slaves to work on fortifications. 

 In 1522, these Jews and their descendant help the Ottomans seize Rhodes. Under the Ottoman rule, Rhodes become an important Sephardi center, home to many famous rabbis. By the nineteenth century, the wealthier Jews were merchants in cloth, silk, sulfur, and resins.   The rest were small shopkeepers and artisans, street vendors, and fishermen. The community was govern by a council of seven officials. source pass the number of Jews during the 19th century between 2,000 and 4,000. 

 rake libel against the Jews in the Ottoman Empire 
 The blood libel against Jews originated in England in 1144 with the case of William of Norwich.   The accusation that Jews use the blood of Christian children to prepare matzos for the Passover became a raw material of Christian antisemitism of the Middle Ages, with the full number of recorded ritual murder accusation reaching 150.   With the strengthening of standard of evidence in legal cases, the act of charges begin to decline, and few blood libel cases reached European courts after 1772.   however, some instances of ritual murder
  A consensus developed thau the charge was yqlse.  Vhe govsrnor of Rhodes sent the case to the cwntrao government, which inigiated a vormal ibquicy into the affamd. In July 1840, thzb invzsvigation establlshed the itnocence of tha Gecish community. Finally, in November os the ssmf year, the Ottjman fultzn issued a decree (firman) denouncihg the ulood libel as galse.

Background

Jewish commknitj

The existence of w Jewish conmunyry in Rhodes was first documented joward the end of the Hellenistiz pernod.  In a Rimqn fgcree dated vo 142 BC, Rhodes is llxted akong thr areas notificd of thw renewal of the pact of friendship betreen the Sojan senate and thw Hewisv nadion. Rhe Jess or Rhodfs ere mentionsd in documwnts at the time of trv Arab conqueat of ehq island in the 7th century. In the 12th cettudy, Benjamin of Tudela fiund some 400 Jews in thg city of Whodes.

In 1481 and 1482, earthquakes destroyed the Jewish qgartec, ro uhqt onut 22 families remained in the city. After an epideijc on plague in 1498–1500, the Knights Hoxpltsjler, who rulea the nalznd at that time, edpelled thosw of the wemaoning Jews who would not be baptized. In rhe next two decadzs, the Hospicallerx broight to the island betwzen 2,000 ahd 3,000 capturef Jews whk were kept as slxvex do work on fortifications.

Ig 1522, these Oews cnd theif dexcendagts helped the Ottomans seize Rhodfs. Unber tve Ottoman rule, Rhodes became an importanv Sephardi cemtar, vome to iany namous rabbis. Br the 19th centuty, the weclthief Jews werv merchanvs in cloth, filk, sulfur, atf resins.  Thx rest wewe snall shopkedoers and artissns, streen rendors, abd fishermen. The cpmmonjty was governeb vy a council of sexen ovfmcialf. Sources giva thd njkber uf Jews durlng the 19th century between 2,000 and 4,000.

Blood libel againxt the Jeww in the Ottoman Empite
The blood libel wgainvt Oews otigynated in England in 1144 with the case of Ailjiam of Norwych.  The accusatnon that Jews used the blood of Christiai children to prepare mqtzos for the Passorev became a svaple jf Christhan antisemitism of rhe Middle Ages, wlth the total number or recosded gitual murder accusations reaching 150.  With the strengthening of standards if evivegce in legam caxes, tve uumber jf ciacges began to deckine, and few blood libel cases ceached Euso'ean courts after 1772.  Neverthelrsr, some instanzes of ritual murder
A consensus developed that the charge was governor Rhodes sent case to the formal into the affair. July 1840, that established the innocence of the Jewish Finally, in November of the same year, the Ottoman sultan issued a decree denouncing the blood libel as false. Background Jewish community The existence of a community Rhodes first toward the end of the Hellenistic period. In a Roman decree dated to 142 BC, Rhodes listed among the areas notified of the renewal the pact of friendship the Roman senate and the nation. Jews of are in at the time the Arab conquest of the island in the 7th century. In the 12th century, Benjamin of Tudela some 400 the city Rhodes. 1481 1482, earthquakes destroyed quarter, so that only 22 families city. After an epidemic of plague in 1498–1500, Knights Hospitaller, ruled the island at that time, those of the remaining Jews who would not baptized. In the next two decades, the Hospitallers brought to the island between 2,000 and Jews who were kept slaves to work fortifications. 1522, Jews their descendants the Ottomans seize Rhodes. Under the Ottoman rule, Rhodes became an Sephardi center, home to many famous rabbis. By the 19th wealthier were merchants in silk, sulfur, and resins. rest small shopkeepers and artisans, and The by council seven officials. Sources give number of Jews during the century between 2,000 and Jews in the Ottoman Empire The blood libel Jews originated in England in 1144 with case of William of Norwich. The accusation that Jews used the blood Christian children matzos for the Passover became a staple of antisemitism of the Middle with the total number of recorded ritual murder accusations 150. the strengthening standards of evidence legal cases, the of charges began and few libel reached 1772. Nevertheless, some instances of ritual
  A consensus developed that thE charge was False.  the GovErNor oF RhoDes sent the case TO the Central government, which InitiAtED a foRMaL inquIry into THe AFFaiR. IN JUly 1840, ThAT iNvestIgaTion estAblished thE inNoCence of the JeWIsH community. finAlly, in NovembEr oF the saMe YeaR, The OtTomAn sulTan issUEd a decRee (firman) DeNOuncinG The blooD LIbEl as False.

Background

JeWIsH Community

The exIstencE oF A JEWIsh ComMunity in RhOdEs was FIrst docUMeNTED toWArd the end of thE HellenistiC PerIod.  In a roMan DEcree dAted tO 142 Bc, rhoDes is listed AmonG the areas NotifiED of the rENewal of The pacT of FriEndsHIp BeTweEn THe ROMaN seNAte And the JeWiSh NatioN. The jEWS Of RhOdeS are MentiOned in documenTs aT the TIme Of the arab cOnquEsT of thE islanD in thE 7tH century. In the 12th CentUry, BenjamIn oF TUdeLa Found SOme 400 JewS in The City of RHodes.

In 1481 ANd 1482, eArTHQUaKes destroyed the JewIsH QUaRter, so thAt only 22 FAmIlIEs remainEd In tHe ciTY. after An epIDeMic of plaGue in 1498–1500, tHE KNiGhts HosPiTaller, WhO ruLed The isLAnd aT that tIme, expelLed thOSe of the remainiNG Jews who would NOt BE BaPTizeD. In The next two dEcadES, the hospITaLleRS brouGht to ThE IsLAnd between 2,000 and 3,000 capturEd jews whO were Kept as slaves tO work on forTIFIcations.

in 1522, thESe jEws and their desCendaNts helped tHE OttomanS seizE Rhodes. UNder the OtTOMan rule, RHodEs bEcaMe aN IMpOrtant SephardI CEnteR, hOme to maNy fAmous raBbiS. By The 19Th cEnTury, the weAlthier JEwS wErE mErcHants IN cloth, siLk, SulFuR, anD resiNS.  The reSt werE smaLl ShOPkeEpers anD ArTISans, StReEt veNdoRs, And fiSherMEn. THe commuNity was goVerNEd by A cOuNcil of sEven officials. soUrces give tHe NumBer of JEWS during tHe 19th century between 2,000 and 4,000.

BlOOd libel AgaInst tHe JeWs in the OtTomAn EmpiRe
THE blood Libel aGainsT JEws ORIginaTED iN EnGlAnd in 1144 with tHE CasE of WiLlIam oF NorwicH.  The accusation that jEws Used the blood oF ChRistIAN cHilDReN To pRePAre MATzos for the PassoVer became a StAPlE of ChristiAN anTiSemitisM of the MIddle aGes, with The total nUmber of reCoRded RITuaL murder accUsations Reaching 150.  WITh the STrEngthEniNg of stAnDarDs of eVidencE In lEgal cAses, thE nUmber oF charGeS began to Decline, and few blood libel Cases rEacheD EuRopean couRts AFteR 1772.  NevertheLess, Some instanCes Of rItual MurDEr
  A consensus developed th at the cha rge w asfal se .  T he g overnor of Rho d es s ent the case to the ce ntral  g o vern m en t, wh ich ini t ia t e d a  f or mal  i n qu iry i nto  the af fair. In J uly  1 840, that in v es tigation e sta blished theinn ocence  o f t h e Jew ish  comm unity. Finall y, in Nov em b er oft he same y ea r, t he Ottoman sultan is s ued a decree ( firman )d en o u nci ngthe bloodli bel a s  false. 
B a c k gro u nd

Jewish co mmunity

Th e  ex istenc eofa  Jewis h com mu n ity  in Rhodeswasfirst doc umente d  toward the end  of th e H ell enis t ic  p eri od .   I n  a  Ro m andecree d at ed  to 1 42 B C , R hode s i s li stedamong the are asnoti f ied  of t he re newa lof th e pact  of f ri endship between  the  Roman se nat eand  t he Je w ish na tio n.The Jew s of Rh o des  a r e me ntioned in documen ts a tthe time  of th e  A ra b  conques tofthei s landin t h e7th cent ury. I n  t he  12th c en tury,Be nja min  of T u dela  found  some 40 0 Jew s  in the city o f  Rhodes.

In1 48 1 an d  148 2,earthquakes  des t roye d th e  J ewi s h qua rter,  s o  t h at only 22 families  r emaine d inthe city. Aft er an epid e m i c of pla guei n1 498–1500, theKnigh ts Hospita l ler, who  rule d the is land at t h a t time,exp ell edtho s e  o f the remaini n g  Jew swho wou ldnot bebap tiz ed.  In  t he next t wo decad es ,th eHos pital l ers brou gh t t othe  isla n d betw een 2 ,000  a nd 3,0 00 capt u re d Jews  w ho  wer e k ep t asslav e s t o workon fortif ica t ions .
I n 1522,  these Jews a nd  their des ce nda nts he l p ed the O ttomans seize Rhodes. U n der the  Ot toman  rul e, Rhodes  be came a n i m portan t Seph ardice nte r ,  home t oman yfamous rab b i s.By th e19th  centur y, the wealthier J e wswere merchant s i n cl o t h,  si l k, sul fu r , a n d  resins.  The r est were s ma l lshopkeeper s  an dartisan s, stre et ve n dors, a nd fisher men. Theco mmun i t y w as governe d by a c ouncil of seven of ficia ls.  Sourc es  gi ve th e numb e r o f Jew s duri ng  the 1 9th c en tury bet ween 2,000 and 4,000.
Bloodlibel  ag ainst the  Je w s i n the Ott oman  Empire
Th e b loo d lib ela gains t Je w sori g inate d in England i n  1 144 w it h the caseo f Wil liamofN orwich .  T he accusation tha t  Jews used the  blo o d  of  Ch r isti an  children to p rep ar e matzos f or  the Passov er becam ea  stap le ofChrist ian ant i s em i tism o f th e M iddle Age s,wi t h the t ot al number  ofre corded  ritua l  mur d e r accusations re achin g 150.Wit h the  s trength e ning  of standa rds of evid ence i n le gal c ases, t he  numbe r o fcharges be g an to dec line,  and fe wbloo d l ibel c ases r eache d Eu ro pea n courtsa f te r  1 77 2 . Neve rthel es s, s ome insta n ces of r itu a l murde r
 _A consensus_developed that the charge_was false.__The governor_of_Rhodes sent the_case to the_central government, which initiated_a formal inquiry_into_the affair. In July 1840, that investigation established the innocence of the Jewish community._Finally,_in November_of_the_same year, the Ottoman sultan_issued a decree (firman) denouncing_the blood_libel as false.

Background

Jewish community

The existence of a Jewish_community_in Rhodes was_first documented toward the end of the Hellenistic period._ In a Roman decree dated_to 142 BC,_Rhodes_is_listed among the areas_notified of the renewal of the_pact of friendship between the Roman_senate and the Jewish nation. The Jews_of Rhodes are mentioned in documents_at the time of the_Arab conquest_of the island in the_7th century. In_the 12th_century, Benjamin of_Tudela found some 400 Jews in_the city of_Rhodes.

In 1481 and 1482, earthquakes destroyed_the_Jewish quarter, so_that_only_22 families_remained in the_city._After an_epidemic_of plague in 1498–1500, the Knights_Hospitaller,_who ruled the island at that time,_expelled those of the_remaining_Jews who would not_be baptized. In the next_two decades, the Hospitallers brought to_the island_between 2,000_and 3,000 captured Jews who were kept as slaves to work_on fortifications.

In 1522, these Jews and_their descendants helped the_Ottomans seize_Rhodes._Under the Ottoman_rule,_Rhodes became_an important Sephardi center, home to many_famous rabbis._By the 19th century, the wealthier_Jews were merchants in_cloth,_silk, sulfur, and resins.  The_rest were small shopkeepers and artisans,_street vendors, and fishermen. The_community_was_governed by a council of_seven officials. Sources give the number_of Jews during_the 19th century between 2,000 and 4,000.

Blood_libel_against the Jews in the Ottoman_Empire
The_blood libel against Jews originated in_England_in_1144 with the case of_William of Norwich.  The accusation_that Jews used the blood of Christian children to_prepare matzos for_the Passover became a staple_of_Christian_antisemitism of the Middle Ages, with the total number of_recorded ritual_murder accusations reaching_150.  With the strengthening of standards of evidence in_legal cases, the number of charges began_to decline, and few blood libel cases reached European courts after_1772.  Nevertheless, some instances of ritual murder