"In the Middle Ages and beyond, the target was the Court Jew who had the ear of the ruler; during the Inquisition it was the Spanish Jews who thrived after their conversion to Christianity"

The quote by Jack Schwartz highlights the repeating style of scapegoating and targeted persecution of Jews throughout history, focusing on 2 unique durations: the Middle Ages and the time of the Spanish Inquisition.

In the Middle Ages, the "Court Jew" refers to Jews who held positions of impact and trust within royal courts, primarily in Europe. These individuals frequently served as investors or consultants to emperors and played important functions in financial and political matters. Regardless of their value and close relationships with rulers, they frequently ended up being targets throughout durations of social unrest or financial challenge. This scapegoating was rooted in anti-Semitic beliefs and the perception of Jews as outsiders or manipulators, causing envy, suspicion, and following persecution.

The reference of the "Court Jew" having the "ear of the ruler" underscores their precarious position: they had power and impact yet were eventually susceptible to the whims of those in higher authority. Their prominence left them exposed to the rage of the people and envious nobility, allowing rulers to deflect criticism by targeting their Jewish consultants when convenient.

The second part of the quote moves focus to the Spanish Inquisition, a movement targeted at keeping Catholic orthodoxy in Spain by maltreating transformed Jews (Conversos, or "New Christians") and others suspected of secretly practicing Judaism. These converts typically achieved social, financial, and political success after their conversion, which provoked jealousy and suspicion. The Inquisition justified its actions through spiritual orthodoxy, but underlying these persecutions were socio-economic motives and ingrained anti-Semitic mindsets.

This period was characterized by extreme analysis, trials, and penalties, frequently based upon little evidence. The persecution of both court-associated Jews and converted Jews throughout these eras shows a broader historic pattern of using Jews as scapegoats during times of societal stress, exposing both the precariousness of minority success and the persistent nature of anti-Semitism. Schwartz highlights the cyclical nature of such phenomena, illustrating how success and combination have actually frequently paradoxically increased Jewish vulnerability throughout history.