Jewish Man Falsely Accused in Blood Libel Moves to Israel

Mendel Beilis was falsely accused of murder in a sensational 1913 Russian blood libel trial. After his not-guilty verdict he moved to the land of Israel and visited the Western Wall and Temple Mount. “I saw for the first time a race of proud, uncringing Jews, who lived life openly and unafraid,” wrote Beilis. Learn about his dramatic murder trial in which the matzah, afikoman and other Passover traditions were successfully defended against the slander of the Czarist Empire and the Black Hundreds and hear about the simple Russian peasants who refused to condemn an innocent man.

Mendel Beilis under arrest.

Mendel Beilis on trial.

Mendel Beilis and his family after their arrival in the Land of Israel.

NOTES:

• Blood Libel: The Life and Memory of Mendel Beilis, edited by Jay Beilis

• The Story Of My Sufferings by Mendel Beilis, 1926 - full text, archive.org

• The Czar on Trial - New York Times, 1913

• Interview with Mendel Beilis on trial, Israel and New York - JTA, 1933

• Thousands Mourn at Funeral As Martyr Beilis is Laid to Rest - JTA, 1934

• Grandson Jay Beilis interview on 100th anniversary of trial - Jerusalem Post

• Rare photo album of Mendel Beilis blood libel - National Library of Israel

• A Century Later, New Discoveries About the Trial of Mendel Beilis - Chabad

• The Beilis Case – The Last Blood Libel - ANU Museum of the Jewish People

• Pope Gregory X: Letter on Jews Against the Blood Libel - Jewish Virtual Library