How where the Jews treated in the Middle Ages?

Answer 1

Terribly!

Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans: The Roman Empire gives way to the Islamic Caliphates in the Middle East and the Byzantine Empire in Anatolia and the Balkans. The treatment under the Byzantine Empire is rather similar to that in Western Europe (see 2D). In the Islamic Caliphates, Jews are recognized and protected; and Anti-Semitism, though pervasive, is not strong, leading to pogroms and violence on a much smaller scale. Jews in the Arab World are taxed (both by head - jizya, and by land - kharaj). Jews in the Arab World were allowed to choose their professions (although there were professions that Jews tended to take because of lack of Moslem competition, like banking). Jews joined the Moslems in a cultural flowering across the Arab World. Rabbis in the Jewish communities in the Arab World corresponded with their counterparts in Europe to reach decisions in matters of Torah-law.

Western Europe: As the Roman Empire disintegrates, the Medieval Christian states begin to impose harsh laws on the Jews but allow them to practice Judaism openly if they follow these rules. Typically the community would be allowed to live in one neighborhood, called a "ghetto" (after the Venetian neighborhood so designated), under the stewardship of a Kahal (or Jewish Board of Directors). However, the cities allowing Jews to set up these types of neighborhoods were few and far between, leading many Jews to emigrate out of Western Europe and further east to find sanctuary. In addition, Jews were banned from many occupations which lead them into very specialized fields. Anti-Semitism was pervasive and common which lead to numerous pogroms and religiously incited massacres. Judaism was also defined religiously at this point, which meant that a Jew could convert to Christianity and become just as accepted to them as native-born Christians. Rabbis in these Kahals correspond with their counterparts in the Arab World.

Central and Eastern Europe: Jews begin to arrive in these regions due to more fluid borders and less stringent obligations. The Jews moving to Central and Eastern Europe (most often from Western Europe) are typically poorer than those who remained in the Western European cities. Anti-Semitism was still pervasive, but Jewish communities could usually avoid the major cities and instead live as farmers.