BARBASTRO, BARBASTE:

By: Richard Gottheil, Meyer Kayserling

A city of Aragon, containing a Jewish community with special privileges that were confirmed by successive kings from time to time (as late as 1336). In 1257, this community was so poor that the king found it necessary to reduce its taxes by the amount of 500 maravedis jaceses. In 1271 it paid 2,200 sueldos. In 1331, owing to internal dissensions, the community was managed by two Christians. Ten years prior to this, at the time of the "Shepherd-Persecution," the community of Barbastro was in danger of sharing the fate of Jaca, where 400 Jews had been massacred by the Shepherds; but it found favor in the eyes of the nobility, and remained unmolested. In Barbastro dwelt Samuel the Pious, who was personally acquainted with Samuel ben Meïr, the grandson of Rashi.

G. M. K.