ALL the Aragonese kings recognized the Jews’ right to live their religious life in accordance with their own understanding and beliefs. This recognition was a cornerstone in the relationship between the Jews and the monarch. In principle, the latter refrained from interfering in religious and ritual matters pertaining to the Jews, but even in this field he asserted his authority whenever he thought his interest was at stake.

THE SYNAGOGUE AND PRAYERS

The synagogue, the very centre of Jewish life, could not be built, refurbished, or repaired without the ruler's permission. As in the rest of Christian Europe, it was officially prohibited in the Crown of Aragon to erect new synagogues, but the Jews were allowed to repair their old ones. Despite this prohibition, the Jews were permitted to establish many new synagogues, both in new settlements and in old communities. The king kept control over many details of the synagogue building and imposed many limitations with which the Jews learned to live. In addition to the king's consent, the community would often seek the local bishop's permission as well. Both permissions were generally paid for by the Jews. In the first part of the fourteenth century a Jewess from Oriola bequeathed in her will buildings 'which should serve as a synagogue with the king's and the bishop's permission for daily prayers of men and women'. She donated a large sum of money to be used first and foremost to pay the king and the bishop and, of course, for the building of the synagogue. The donor assumed as a matter of course that the authorities had to be bribed. The local church authorities were often involved in authorizing the Jews to repair their synagogues and even to build new ones. In many instances, similar considerations guided the ruler and the bishop.

Not only were the building and dimensions of the synagogue under the strict control of the king, he also showed an interest in the order of service and activities that occurred inside it. Jaime I interfered in every aspect of synagogal life. When his proteges were involved, he cancelled the community's decision to prevent those under ban from participating in the services and even prohibited Jews from walking out in protest at their entry into the synagogue. The king's involvement in the allocation of seats in the synagogue was a cause of much frustration.