They Wanted to Burn the Talmud: One Christian Scholar Stopped Them

In a small study on the second floor of his home sat Johannes Reuchlin, one of the great scholars of Renaissance Europe. Late afternoon sunlight filtered through the narrow window and fell across his wooden desk as he wrote steadily with his quill. He worked with determination, preparing material for a satirical collection that would later become known as Letters of Dubious Men.

This was not merely a literary exercise. Reuchlin was determined to expose the ignorance and prejudice behind the growing campaign against Jewish books. Many church officials claimed that sacred Jewish texts were dangerous and should be destroyed. Reuchlin believed these accusations came from people who did not understand the books they condemned.
He wanted to awaken thoughtful readers and show how ignorance could disguise itself as religious devotion.

A Teacher Who Opened His Eyes

After long hours of writing, Reuchlin often stepped outside into the courtyard to clear his thoughts. During those quiet moments he frequently remembered one of the most important figures in his life, his teacher Rabbi Ovadia Sforno.

Rabbi Sforno had taught him that anyone who truly wants to understand the word of Hashem must study it in its original language.

"To understand Hashem’s word," Sforno would explain, "you must read it in Hebrew, not only in translation."

Together they spent many hours studying Tanakh and discussing the commentaries of Rashi, Radak, and Ibn Ezra. Through these studies Reuchlin developed a deep appreciation for the Hebrew language and for the richness of Jewish learning.

He never forgot the wisdom and humility of his teacher.

A Battle Over Jewish Books

At the same time, a fierce campaign was being led by Johannes Pfefferkorn, a converted Jew who demanded that Jewish books be confiscated and burned. Pfefferkorn argued that the Talmud and other Jewish works were dangerous and harmful.

Reuchlin strongly opposed these efforts. He believed that Pfefferkorn and his supporters did not understand the texts they wanted to destroy.

Disturbed by the growing pressure, Reuchlin wrote directly to Emperor Maximilian I. In his letter he argued that books should not be burned simply because some readers could not understand them. He explained that Jewish literature contained valuable wisdom and ethical teachings that deserved to be preserved.

Reuchlin described the Talmud as a treasury of knowledge and moral insight that could benefit even non Jews.

Saving the Jewish Books

Reuchlin worked tirelessly to defend Jewish writings. He wrote letters, spoke with scholars and clergy, and gathered support among influential figures. Again and again he insisted that destroying Jewish books would be a terrible injustice.

His efforts succeeded. The emperor accepted his arguments, and the planned burning of Jewish books was canceled. Many priceless works were saved.

Opposition and Accusations

Pfefferkorn did not accept defeat. Filled with anger, he accused Reuchlin of heresy and persuaded church authorities to bring charges against him.

Because Reuchlin was a respected professor of law, his case was heard outside the Inquisition. In the end he was cleared of all accusations, and his accusers were ordered to pay the legal costs.

A Lifelong Interest in Torah

Reuchlin continued studying Jewish texts and maintained relationships with rabbis and Jewish scholars. He corresponded with Rabbi Yaakov Nuremberg and requested writings on Jewish mysticism in order to deepen his understanding.

He studied Radak’s Sefer HaShorashim and later wrote a Hebrew textbook for Christian students, which became widely used.

Reuchlin was not a perfect man. Yet in a time of ignorance and hostility, he stood courageously in defense of Jewish learning.

He helped preserve hundreds of sacred texts and kept alive a spirit of fairness and respect.
Above all, he never forgot his teacher Rabbi Ovadia Sforno, who guided him not only in scholarship but also in the search for truth.