
1430 AD to 1470 AD, Psalm 119: The Fall of Constantinople
This psalm is exceptionally associated with two half-generations of twenty years each. It is therefore associated with the 1430s, 1440s, 1450s and 1460s.
The eight verses of each of the paragraphs thus defined begin with the letter associated with that paragraph. This peculiarity means that this psalm is often used to reconstruct the names of the deceased that we want to honor (we reconstruct the name from each letter mentioned by reading the corresponding paragraph).
The first 40-day fast corresponding to the golden calf was mentioned in Psalm 40 (corresponding to the end of the fasting of Moses linked to the golden calf). Indeed the reaction of the Maccabees to this generation puts an end to the long idolatrous wanderings of the Jews in the land of Israel which had largely marked the first generations of the night and which would lead to the destruction of the two temples of Jerusalem comparable to the two tables of the Law broken by Moses.
This evolution [1] is materialized by, in 1453, an action of the Jews implanted in the land of Israel who send emissaries in diaspora to push their brothers in exile to carry out their aliyah. Thus the return to Zion is well initialized from this date and it will take nearly five hundred years for this to materialize. We will see that this date of 1453 marks moreover the hinge between the middle ages and modern times what already allows to understand the meaning of this particular psalm.
- About [2] at the same time (other important concomitant events such as the end of the Hundred Years War are cited by the author), the history of the world is undergoing a definitive turning point. May 29, 1453, date of the fall of Constantinople, marks traditionally, the end of the Middle Ages: the city falls into the hands of the Ottomans, Greece becomes Turkish, St. Sophia Mosque, and the Roman Empire of the East disappears. Byzantium, heiress of the ancient East, Greece and Rome, had hatched the Russian civilization, it was in Byzantium that the Italians had learned the art of making cupolas and illuminating manuscripts, it is where they had learned the rules of finance, commerce and law.
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Thus after eleven centuries of existence, the Eastern Roman Empire, which declared Christianity as a state religion and which resulted in the Jews who were previously full citizens in the Roman Empire of The West are gradually becoming outcasts, dies at this generation:
- The Eastern Roman Empire [3] was founded by Constantine the Great on Monday, May 11, 330; it ended on Tuesday, May 29, 1453. During these thousand one hundred and twenty-three years and eighteen days, eighty-eight men and women occupied the imperial throne – not counting the seven who usurped it during the Latin occupation.
The number of sovereigns of this empire was eighty-eight, exactly the number of verses of the first half-psalm of this generation (the eleven centuries of existence of the empire being also compared to the eleven parts of this empire). half-Ps). That makes 1450 (or 1453), the central date of this psalm that separates a world in which Christianity is rooted at the expense of a Judaism he wants to enslave but not destroy to a modern Christian world that no longer seeks to tame the Jews but simply tries to destroy them.
(On the hill of the Temple, the Stables of King Solomon) formed [4] one of the military centers of the Crusaders: their 88 square pillars in twelve rows support powerful vaults. At the southeastern corner of the rampart against which they are built, is the cradle of Jesus. According to tradition, Mary laid the child Jesus on this stone when she was going to do her devotions at the Temple.
- On March 19, 1452 [6], nobody could suspect that Frederick III of Habsburg, holder of the longest German reign of the Middle Ages (1440-1493), would be the last king of the Romans to receive his imperial crown of the pope. However, this last presence of an imperator in Rome, a year before the fall of Constantinople, already signals changes that affect the history of Germany, and more generally the evolution of the two universal powers that reunites the coronation . […]
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If the Byzantines had benefited from the advantage of a new weapon (Greek fire) to repel the attack of the Muslims, at the end of these forty generations of resistance, it is a new weapon, quoted Ottoman this time, which contributes to their defeat:
- But [7] it was something else that he (Muhammad, the new Turkish sultan fighting Constantinople) was the most proud. The previous year, a German engineer, Orban, had offered to build a bronze cannon that would explode even the walls of Babylon. Mahomet paid well, and three months later, he was rewarded with the terrifying weapon that had sunk the boat of Rizzo (Captain of a Venetian boat that tried to force you the blockade imposed by the Turks in 1451). He ordered another, twice as big as the first, which was finished in January 1453. It is said that he measured in the eight meters, that the bronze was twenty centimeters thick and that the soul was almost eighty. centimeters in diameter. He could shoot a six hundred and fifty kilogram ball at nearly two kilometers. Two hundred men were sent to organize the transport of this formidable machine to Constantinople; they cleared the roads and reinforced the bridges. Then thirty pairs of oxen pulled her, while two hundred men ensured her stability. […]
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The middle of the fifteenth century also saw a new equilibrium in Italy, through the signature of the « lega italica » in 1454. This fragile peace allows the Italian states to enter modernity by developing the Renaissance, mainly in Florence, as much in the arts than in architecture, as well as in politics and humanism. The benefits of this revival will soon be exported, especially in France, when it will undertake at the end of the century its actions of conquest in Italy.
As the modern world takes shape, this generation is a short respite for the Jewish people. Although many abuses, such as that orchestrated by Capistran in Poland, are to deplore a new faith, but their main effect will be more on generations to come than on the present generation.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verse 8 )
- I shall keep Your statutes; do not forsake me utterly.
- With Your statutes I shall occupy myself; I shall not forget Your speech.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verse 17 )
- Bestow kindness upon Your servant; I shall live and I shall keep Your word.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, first part of verse 19 )
- I am a stranger in the land;
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, first part of verse 21 )
- You shall rebuke cursed willful sinners
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, first part of verse 22 )
- Remove from me disgrace and contempt,
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, first part of verse 23 )
- Although princes sat and talked about me,
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, first part of verse 25 )
- My soul clung to the dust;
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, first part of verse 28 )
- My soul drips from grief;
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, second part of verse 25 )
- revive me according to Your word.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, second part of verse 28 )
- sustain me according to Your word.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, first part of verse 29 )
- Remove from me the way of falsehood,
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, second part of verse 31 )
- Remove from me the way of falsehood,
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verses 38 and 39 )
- Fulfill for Your servant Your word that is for Your fear.
- Remove my disgrace, which I feared, for Your judgments are good.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verses 49 and 56 )
- Bands of wicked men robbed me; I did not forget Your Torah.
- At midnight, I rise to give thanks to You for Your just judgments.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verses 67,69,70 and 71 )
- Before I recited, I erred, but now I keep Your word.
- Willful sinners have heaped false accusations upon me, but I keep your precepts wholeheartedly.
- Thick like fat is their heart, but I engage in Your Torah.
- It is good for me that I was afflicted, in order that I learn Your statutes.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verse 77 )
- May Your mercy come upon me so that I shall live, for Your Torah is my occupation
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verse 81 to 88 )
- My soul pines for Your salvation; for Your word I hope.
- My eyes pine for Your word, saying, « When will You console me? »
- For I have become like a wineskin in smoke; I have not forgotten Your statutes.
- How many are Your servant’s days? When will You execute judgments upon my pursuers?
- Willful sinners have dug pits for me, which is not according to Your Torah.
- All Your commandments are faithful; they pursued me in vain; help me.
- They almost destroyed me on earth, but I did not forsake Your precepts.
- According to Your kindness, sustain me, and I shall keep the testimony of Your mouth.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verse 92 )
- Were not Your Torah my occupation, then I would have perished in my affliction.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verse 95 )
- Concerning me: the wicked hoped to destroy me; I shall ponder Your testimonies.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verse 107,109 and 110 )
- I have been exceedingly humbled; O Lord, sustain me according to Your word.
- My soul is constantly in my hand, and I have not forgotten Your Torah.
- The wicked laid a snare for me, but I did not stray from Your precepts.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verse 116 and 121 )
- Support me as Your word, and I shall live, and do not put me to shame because of my hope.
- I performed justice and righteousness; do not leave me to my oppressors.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verse 134 and 136 )
- Redeem me from the oppression of man, and I shall keep Your precepts.
- Rivulets of water ran down from my eyes because they did not keep Your Torah.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, first part of verses 141 and 143 )
- I am young and despised;
- Distress and anguish have overtaken me;
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verses 145 to 150 )
- I called with all my heart; answer me, O Lord; I shall keep Your statutes.
- I called to You; save me and I shall keep Your testimonies.
- I arose early, when it was still night, and I cried out; I hoped for Your word.
- My eyes preceded the watches to speak of Your word.
- Hearken to my voice according to Your kindness; O Lord, according to Your custom sustain me.
- Pursuers of lewdness have drawn near; from Your Torah they have distanced themselves.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, first part of verses 153, 157 and 158 )
- See my affliction and release me,
- Many are my pursuers and my adversaries,
- I saw traitors and I quarreled [with them]
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verses 161 to 168 )
- Princes pursued me for nothing, but my heart feared Your word.
- I rejoice over Your word as one who finds great spoil.
- I hate falsehood, and I abominate [it], I love Your Torah.
- Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous judgments.
- There is abundant peace to those who love Your Torah, and they have no obstacle.
- I hoped for Your salvation, O Lord, and I performed Your commandments.
- My soul kept Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
- I kept Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.
(extract of the psalm 119 associated to this generation, verses 169 to 176 )
- May my song of prayer draw near before You, O Lord; according to Your word, enable me to understand.
- May my supplication come before You; according to Your word, save me.
- My lips will utter praise when You teach me Your statutes.
- My tongue will proclaim Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.
- May Your hand be [ready] to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
- I yearned for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your Torah is my occupation
- May my soul live and praise You, and may Your judgments help me.
- I went astray like a lost lamb; seek Your servant, for I did not forget Your commandments.
[1] According to www.histoiredesjuifs.com, « chronology » section.
[2] (preface by) Georges Duby: « A history of the medieval world ». Third part: « Old empires and young nations (XIV-XV centuries) – Introduction ». (French: « Une histoire du monde médiéval ». Troisième partie : « Vieux empires et jeunes nations (XIV-XVe siècles) – Introduction ». (p. 325-326) ).
[3] John Julius Norwich: « History of Byzantium ». Chapter: « Epilogue ». (French: « Histoire de Byzance ». Chapitre : « Épilogue ». (p. 433) )
[4] André Chouraqui: « Jerusalem, a sanctuary city ». Chapter: « Under the sign of the crescent ». (French: « Jérusalem, une ville sanctuaire ». Chapitre : « Sous le signe du croissant ». (p. 184) )
[5] See Deuteronomy Chapter 17, verses 16-20
[6] (supervised by) Patrick Boucheron: « History of the world in the fifteenth century ». Chapter of Pierre Monnet: « The Last Coronation of an Emperor in Rome » (French: « Histoire du monde au XVe siècle ». Chapitre de Pierre Monnet: « Le dernier couronnement d’un empereur à Rome» (p. 363 à 366) ).
[7] John Julius Norwich: « History of Byzantium ». Chapter 29: « The Fall » (French: « Histoire de Byzance ». Chapitre 29 : « La chute » (p. 424 et 426) ).
[8] (led by) Shmuel Trigano: « The Sephardic world, II – Civilization ». Chapter of Moshe Amar: « The yeshiva in the east ». (French: « Le monde sépharade, II – Civilisation ». Chapitre de Moshe Amar: « La yeshiva en orient ». (p. 278-279) ).