Iudex Judaeorum

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IUDEX JUDAEORUM

IUDEX JUDAEORUM (Lat. for "judge of the Jews"; Ger. Judenrichter), gentile official in medieval Austria who adjudicated conflicts between Christians and Jews and appeals by Jews against decisions of the bet din. The office was established by Duke *Frederick ii in the privileges (Privilegium Fridericianum) of 1244 (par. 15–18, 22, 27). The iudex Judaeorum was appointed by the dukes of Austria. Legal contracts between Jews and gentiles or those pertaining to the inheritance rights of Jews were confirmed by the seal of the iudex. The office was reconfirmed by Rudolf iv in 1361. During the 15th century some towns replaced the iudex Judaeorum by a court of law composed equally of Christians and Jews.

bibliography:

J.E. Scherer, Die Rechtsverhaeltnisse der Juden in den deutsch-oesterreichischen Laendern (1901), 234–40; A. Rosenberg, Beitraege zur Geschichte der Juden in Steiermark (1914), index.