Mendel Beilis, CIS, 1992
This is the autobiography of Mendel Beilis, translated into English and introduced and edited to make it accessible to a modern audience. It tells the story of Beilis, who was the defendant in a 1912 blood libel trial in Kiev. A boy was murdered and, following the style of mediaeval blood libels, Beilis was accused of killing him for ritual purposes (to supply blood for Matzah manufacturer). It is astonishing that this took place only around 100 years ago (sadly, events of this sort have resurfaced even in recent years). The introduction is a good background essay to the whole sordid history of the blood libel, of which the notorious first recorded case was in Norwich in the 12th century. Beilis was not a learned man, and he got caught up in the matter, without the knowledge or real ability to defend himself. Various important rabbinical figures, including the Lubavitcher Rebbe, got involved, supplying expert material and advice to Beilis and his legal team. The story of the trial is told in the first person, in a very personal and simple style. A martyr not by choice, he clearly handled his situation with great bravery and dignity; he was eventually acquitted.
Scapegoat On Trial
