Disputation of Tortosa - Debate Over The Talmud

Debate Over The Talmud

Immediately, discussion turned to a new topic, around which revolved the earlier Disputation of Paris of 1240: "the errors, heresies, defilements, and blasphemies against the Christian religion" found in the Talmud.

At this point, the Jews apparently decided that it is better for them to keep quiet, and said that though they are convinced that the sages of the Talmud would know how to defend their words, they do not know how to do so. Rabbi Yosef Albo and Rabbi Zerachia HaLevi did not participate in this communication and agreed to respond, but their responses are not known.

Geronimo demanded to burn the Talmud. Interestingly, he used the dispute over the works of Maimonides, which ended with the burning of his books, to justify burning a book even if only a small part of it is heretical.

It seems that most of the Jewish religious leaders reached the conclusion that a continuation of the disputation would exact a heavy cost and that the harm brought in their absence upon their communities and families was intolerable, so they decided to end it at all costs. It is not known what those among them who decided to continue said in the remainder, and in December 1414 the disputation was formally concluded.