ABSTRACT
One of the major threats to the peace and tranquility of the Jewish communities of pre-emancipation Europe, indeed perhaps the most serious after physical attacks and expulsions, was that of forced baptism. However, apparently the baptism of minor children constituted a problem which bothered the Jews sufficiently for them to raise it with the Venetian government, for when, as the expiration of the charter approached, Rodriga submitted a new charter text containing a few modifications which experience had shown were desirable, included in it was a new clause dealing with the baptism of Jewish minors. However, the administration of the House of Catechumens did not give up, and it submitted a memorandum asserting at length that the baptism of Ricca was valid according to the ’Catholic truth’ which had to be respected by all Christians.
