Jewish Life Digital Edition February 2013 | Page 10

THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOU NEVER KNEW

THE SECOND PURIM: THE JEWS OF FRANKFURT
A famous ‘Second Purim’ occurred in the German city of Frankfurt-am-Main, on
20 Adar (1614-15). During the early 17th century, the Jews of Frankfurt had
developed into a thriving mercantile community. However, with success
inevitably came hatred and jealousy. The head of the city’s bakers guild, Vincent
Fettmilch, who called himself the “New Haman”, was vehemently anti-Semitic
and organised several violent, unprovoked attacks on the community. After a
battle which lasted a full day and night, the Jews were forced to surrender and