The lecture examines several aspects of Jewish life in Egypt and Syria between 10th-16th centuries, i.e. during the reigns of the Fatimids (969-1171 CE), Ayyubids (1171-1250 CE) and Mamluks (1250-1517 CE). Among the aspects to be discussed are: state policy towards the Jews and their legal status; the integration of Jews into the general society; economic and demographic trends; self-government. In general, one can describe the situation of the Jews as a general decline since the end of the 12th century, almost in every aspect of Jewish life: legal, economical, demographic, intellectual and security. The deterioration in some of these aspects started in the Ayyubid period, continued during the first century of Mamluk rule, escalated even more from the mid-14th century and only in the second half of the 15th century started to recover. The worsening condition of Egyptian and Syrian Jewry derived—to a significant extent—from the strengthening of anti-dhimmī (Jews and Christians) Islamic zeal among the populace, as well as among the military, political and religious elite. However, this deterioration was also in large extent a result of a long period of duress, from which the populace at large suffered.