ABSTRACT
From the beginning of the seventeenth century, Jews felt strongly attracted to Leiden, mainly because of its university. The attraction was mutual. For the university, where the study of theology had an important place, good contact with Jews was of the greatest importance. By drawing upon their expertise, the staff could delve more deeply into Judaism and gain a better command of Hebrew. The convert Isaac Pallache was appointed as a university teacher in Leiden, and Jewish students of medicine could always be found there. Often they stayed for only a short time, just long enough to pass their medical exams and gain a doctorate before leaving again.
