The Jews of Mainz were attacked in May of 1096 by Crusader armies who threatened to kill them if they did not agree to convert to Christianity. As result of this threat the Jews began to take shelter in the Bishop's palace. Soon after, he was unable to protect them any longer and many decided to kill themselves rather then surrender to Christianity. Unfortunately many Jews died, and sadly many by their own hand. The subject of debate is the halakhic response to Jewish martyrdom during the Crusades. The option of mass suicide was adopted as an alternative to forced conversion. Furthermore, parents chose to slaughter their children instead of allowing them to be captured and raised as Christians. The choice to kill oneself is one that requires acceptance with the halakha, and it is on this point that debate has resulted in what influenced or allowed this adjustment.
God has commanded us in His Torah, "Keep my decrees and laws, since it is only by keeping them a person can (truly) live" . Therefore if one's life is in danger, he may violate any law to save or heal himself. The only exception to this rule are three important sins which one may not transgress under any circumstances, even at the expense of one's life. They are: idolatry, murder, and sexual crimes . Since these sins outweigh life because of basic stringencies, one must be martyred rather then transgress them under all circumstances. This was the case for the Jews of 1096 who allowed themselves to be killed rather then convert to Christianity. The Gemara in Sanhedrin is one of texts for the commandment of Kiddush Hashem(sanctifying yourself in the name of Hashem. However, they apply only to people killed by opponents, not those killed themselves. Since the phrase "and he dies and does not transgress" is in passive form, it cannot apply to people killing themselves or others. This was the style of the Jews of 1096 to take their own lives.
