THE FAMILY

Although often taken for granted, the family was the most basic mode of organization of medieval Jewish society. This article focuses on the families that comprised the Jewish communities of Northern Europe in the High Middle Ages. The family was the primary unit within which most Jews lived and through which one received permission to reside in specific locations. It was also central in legal, economic and personal negotiations, playing an important role in the determination of marriage, education, professional choices and other opportunities. The essay discusses the role the family played in multiple areas of medieval Jewish life and points to areas for further study that will enhance our knowledge of medieval Jewish family life.