Jewish theater from the time of Herod to the present day
What is Special about Jews on Stage?
“Our rabbis taught: one should not go to the theaters and circuses because entertainments are arranged there to honor the idols”
– Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah, 18b
Jewish Theater – Since When?
Even though the Talmud voices intense opposition to the theaters that were popular in the Hellenist world, there are indications that Jewish theater existed as early as ancient times.
Theaters were built in the Land of Israel during the reign of King Herod. We also know about Ezekiel from Alexandria who wrote a play called Exagoge. Additionally, Flavius Josephus wrote about a Jewish actor named Aliturus who was a particular favorite of Emperor Nero.
There is evidence that theater troupes were active among Italian Jews in the 15th century, which were influenced by commedia dell’arte. In the same period, Purim spiel performances were created in Ashkenaz. The first known Hebrew play, Zahut Bedihuta de-Kiddushin (A Comedy of Betrothal) by Judah Sommo, was staged in 1550.