הירהורים על היבטים הלכתיים ולא-הלכתיים של קידוש השם בתתנ"ו

Examines descriptions of events in Mainz during the Crusade of 1096, focusing on a decision made by Jews who had taken refuge in the bishop's palace. When they realized that their attempts at self-defense were futile, most of the Jews decided to kill their children and themselves rather than suffer maltreatment and death at the hands of the Crusaders. Discusses the halakhic aspects of martyrdom, noting that some rabbis who were at the bishop's palace decided that they would rather be killed by the Crusaders than take their own lives. Those who committed suicide saw their martyrdom as an act of defiance; they would not allow themselves to be converted or killed by the enemy.