Women of Western Ashkenaz

Abstract

The extensive introduction to the Konstanz 1544 Yiddish edition of the ‘Ashkenazic core Bible’ (Pentateuch, Prophets readings, Five Scrolls) speaks not only of heads-of-household (in other words: men) who would now be able to teach their children themselves, in Yiddish, without needing a professional teacher, especially in such times when, as we are told, expulsions have decimated proper communities. It also has something for women:

This book is also for the benefit of women and girls. Typically, they can all read Taytsh well but squander their time on books of nonsense like Ditrikh of Bern, Hildebrand and the likes of them, which are nothing but lies and concoctions. These same women and girls can now find their entertainment in this edition of the Khúməsh [Five Books of Moses], which is all pure and clear truth.

(Khamisho khumshey Touro 1544: preface [from the Yiddish])