Jews people were massacred because of their cleanliness habits in the mid-14th century

In mid-14th century Europe, Jews were less likely to be infected with the plague than the rest of the population. One reason may be that their religious practices promoted hygiene. But the Jews' lower infection rates led to accusations that they caused the plague, and many Jewish communities were massacred.

The massacres start with made-up stories. Jews were accused to poison the church bell. The first massacres reported in 1348 in Toulon, Provence where Jews quarter were sacked and 40 Jews were killed in their homes. The next tool place in Barcelona in 1349, massacres spread across Europe. Jews were burnt alive on 14 Feb 1349 on "Valentine's Day". It is estimated that around 510 Jewish communities were completely destroyed in this period.