Rachel Gray

Hello Everyone! My name is Rachel Gray and I'm and Physical Therapy Major with a double minor in Jewish and Religious Studies. Fun fact; I am neither religious or Jewish. I started to become fascinated with the idea of religion when I was a young girl sitting in a Catholic Church. When I got to college my fascination grew with every religion class I took. Once I finished my Religious Studies minor, I decided to add a Jewish Studies minor to further educate myself in religion. I consider Judaism a mix of a religion and a deep culture, which spiked my interest to learn more. I am excited to learn the history of Judaism from a cultural and religious point of view.


Question posed: What was the Millet system?

The Millet system in an Islamic Law which was put into place in The Ottoman Empire. The Law recognized, "both Jews and Christians as a separate nation, or millet, with religious and legal autonomy within their own communities" (155). The Millet system caused a separation of beliefs and rituals while at the same time installing a system of tolerance. Even though the Turks of the Ottoman Empire were Muslim, they never imposed their religious practices or ideals onto Jews or Christians. Each millet: prayed in their designated churches or synagogues, taught their religion in their designated schools and had their own businesses (156). Each millet was like their own sustaining city, whether it was a religious or a community nation. Roads, courts, school, welfare, and communal areas were all under separate under each individual millet's ruling (156). Even though Muslims did not impose their religion on others, they were not viewed as equals to Jews and Christians. Non-Muslims could not convert Muslims and Muslims could not covert to non-Muslim religion. Also Muslims were more controlling of non-Muslims in the fact that non-Muslims could not: live near mosques, build tall buildings or buy slave (156). The millet system was put into place so that Jews and Christians could practice their distinguished religions and not revolt against Ottoman Muslims in the surrounding area. for religious rights. Within the Ottoman Empire there was a feeling of freedom and religious practice, but overall it was a Muslim state and Jews and Christians weren't allowed to be on the court until the last decade of the Ottoman Empire. The millet system even if not completely fair, as subdivisions, helped solidify the Ottoman Empire, also known as alem penha, "refuge of the world" (149).

Final thoughts:

Overall I believe the millet system was a great idea. This allowed each individual to be a part of a larger religious or legal system which they believed it. Millets also allowed the continuation of religion, traditions and practices. Even though there was an overall "ruler," each millet thrived individually.