Hyam Maccoby's now classic study focuses on the
major Jewish—Christian disputations of medieval Europe: those of Paris (1240),
Barcelona (1263), and Tortosa (1413–14). It examines the content of these
theological confrontations with a sense of present-day relevance, while also
discussing the use made of scriptural proof-texts. Part I provides a general
thematic consideration of the three disputations and their social and
historical background. Part II is a complete translation of the account of the
Barcelona Disputation written by Nahmanides, one of the greatest figures in the
history of Jewish learning, and was Jewish spokesman at the disputation. Part
III contains Jewish and Christian accounts of the Paris and Tortosa
disputations.


A new introduction reviews the relevant
literature that has been published since the original edition appeared.