Samuel Ben Jehiel

Martyr of Cologne in the First Crusade, June 25, 1096. When the Crusaders hunted the Jews of Cologne out of the villages where, under the protection of Archbishop Hermann, they had sought refuge, Samuel, standing in one of the marshes of the village of Wevelinghoven, pronounced a blessing before killing his son, and as the victim answered "Amen" all those looking on intoned the "Shema'" and threw themselves into the water. After this act of despair Samuel handed the knife to Menahem, the sexton of the synagogue, and caused himself to be killed (see Jew. Encyc. iv. 379, s.v. Crusades).

Bibliography:

  * Grätz, Gesch. 1st ed., vi. 108.



D. S. Man.