An interesting explanation of the Passion Plays (from: http://www3.sympatico.ca/glancy.nelson/cj-holy-week-and-the-jews.html )
Biblical Theology: for Study and Life
Holy Week and the Jews
... One historian writes that during the late Middle Ages, "practically every
hamlet from Italy to England felt constrained to offer its version of the biblical tale at
Easter." Another remarks that "the life of the city stopped, shops were closed,
convents and monasteries were deserted; entire populations gathered for several days for
'the shows.'"
These Passion Plays were embroidered and elaborated over the years, and one of the tragic
developments was the representation of Jews as the villains. In one passion play, which
lasted two days, the first day was a lengthy discussion by devils about their plot to kill
Jesus, a plot ultimately assigned to the Jews who were eager to cooperate. The next day's
action included a lengthy (700 lines) horrendous description of the crucifixion, with Jews
enthusiastically wielding the hammer and taunting Jesus. "Around the cross Jews whirl
in a dance of abandon and joy, mocking their victim."
The emotions of rage worked up by such vivid drama were sometimes intensified by the
clergy. A description of a sermon by a Bishop included these words, "...they could
observe around them the grandchildren of those who condemned Jesus [i.e. Jews] ...when
their hearts were agonized by the thoughts of the insults offered to their Saviour, they
had his [the Bishop's] blessing, and the Governor's license to revenge themselves upon the
Jews - but only with stones."
The homes of Jews were then bombarded by stones all week, a practice that was officially
abolished in the 12th century, but was still being followed a century later. This
visitation of Christian anger on Jews was not always limited to stone throwing. One
historian described these Holy Week scenes this way, "In total identification, the
crowds lived Christ's agony, transferring their rage to the tormenters with a real
massacre following the depicted one.
The authorities often tried to protect Jews from this rage of the people. Indeed, Passion
Plays were banned in Rome in 1539 because they were regularly followed by the sacking of
the Jewish ghetto along the Tiber River. Pope Innocent IV tried (but failed) to stem the
tide of accusations of ritual murder against the Jews, a slander that began on the eve of
a Good Friday in England when the body of a child was discovered and the story invented
that Jews killed a Christian on Good Friday to mock Jesus' crucifixion. But at other times
the authorities reflected the popular mood, as in this example of medieval Spanish law,
"We also forbid any Jew to dare to leave his house or his quarter on Good Friday, but
they must all remain shut up until Saturday morning; if they violate this law, we decree
that they shall not be entitled to any reparation for any injury or dishonor inflicted
upon them by Christians."
......
Glen Nelson
March 2000