What is a closed ghetto?

A closed ghetto is a self-contained Jewish community that is segregated from the surrounding non-Jewish population. Closed ghettos were common in Europe in the Middle Ages and early modern period. They were often walled or gated communities, and Jews were required to live within them. Closed ghettos were often overcrowded and unsanitary, and Jews were often subjected to discrimination and violence.

The concept of a closed ghetto was first developed by the Venetian Republic in the 16th century. The Venetian ghetto was established in 1516, and it was the first time that a Jewish community had been forced to live in a segregated area. Other cities in Italy, Germany, and Poland soon followed suit.

The Jewish community in a closed ghetto was typically governed by a council of elders, which was responsible for maintaining order and settling disputes. The council of elders was often appointed by the local government, and it was responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing the ghetto's rules.

The Jewish community in a closed ghetto was often economically self-sufficient. Jews were often involved in trade, crafts, and moneylending. They were also often segregated from the surrounding population in terms of education and healthcare.

Closed ghettos were often the site of violence and persecution. Jews were often attacked by mobs of Christians, and they were often blamed for natural disasters and epidemics. In the 19th century, the movement for Jewish emancipation led to the gradual abolition of closed ghettos.