| abstract | - The term “Blood Libel” refers to an old folk legend which was prominent in Medieval Europe and Russia. The myth suggested that members of the Jewish faith were responsible for conducting ritual murders of Christian and other non-Jewish persons, especially children, in order to use their blood for Jewish rituals, holidays, the baking of “Matzah” bread, or for their own sustenance. The blood libel is particularly appalling in light of the fact that Jews follow the Hebrew Bible’s law to not consume any blood, which is found in the book of Leviticus. In order for an animal to be considered kosher, all its blood must have been drained and discarded. The accusation was used to pretend that general anti-Jewish sentiments and even anti-Jewish violence by the accusers might be justified. Blood libels have frequently led to mob violence and pogroms, and have occasionally led to the decimation of entire Jewish communities.
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