Jewish Expulsion from Spain.

[Danustouch]

During Medeivil times, a great deal of Persecution of Jews was carried out by the Spanish Inquisition. Spain and Portugal had vast numbers of Jewish Citezens, many of whom had prominent places in court, and prominent jobs within the community. After the Mandate of Jewish Expulsion from Spain, many Jews were sent off to Portugal. Those who remained in Spain, were forced to convert to Christianity, or, be killed. Believing things would be better in Portugal, many Jews practiced their religion in some semblence of freedom. However, Portugal still followed the pattern of Spain, and again the Jews found themselves forced to convert, or to flee.

Being a Jew during this time period, meant living a double life. Forced to kneel in a Catholic Church, amongst graven images, and to take part in the Holy Eucharist, when to you that seemed an abomination.......yet in secret, if possible, holding your prayer sessions in a tiny cluttered celler, and always being aware that anyone, at any point, could accuse you of Jewism, and have you arrested, and tortured by the inquisition.

http://members.tripod.com/~Gurnicht/SpanishJews.htm

I became interested in this topic, after reading a book entitled "The Ghost of Hannah Mendes" which is a fictional novel, based on a true story. Hannah Mendes was one of the Jews who was originally from a prominent family in Spain, who were forced to Convert, to stay alive. Hannah (Nasi) Mendes, stayed loyal to Judaism in her heart, and helped many Jewish Refugee's escape to territories where they would not be so persecuted. She also became one of the wealthiest women of her day. To read more about this amazing woman...go here.

http://www.jhom.com/personalities/dona_gracia/index.htm

[Theres]

and at the same time the Templars were being pressured by the Spanish (and French) crown.
i think that this persecution was perhaps tied more to the control of wealth than any real theological differences.
the Crusades had made some factions quite wealthy, while nearly bankrupting others. the latter group felt threatened by the former, and took pre-emptive action. those who didn't flee were put to death (often after torture), and the 'Inquisition' was born!

[Danustouch]

According to the book that I read, the Inquisition as it pertained to Jews started off as a predjudice about religious beliefs, but, as more and more people began seeing that it could profit them to accuse their neighbors, or expose them, it began to simply be a lust for money, and property.

[Danustouch]

*Bump*

[Danustouch]

Incidentally, every time I hear the song "Tango in Evora" by Loreena Mckennit, I think of the "Ghost of Hannah Mendes". The song weaves traditionally jewish sounding music, with traditional spanish sounding music, into a haunting instrumental melody which will linger with you. I believe, though I cannot be certain, that this era in History, is what Loreena was referring to with this song. This is why I love Loreena, her ability to mix music, and history, to paint images which haunt you.

[Calixto]

The Templars were destroyed by King Phillip and the Pope about 180 years before the Spanish Inquisition was formed to expel the Jews.

The Spanish inquisition also looked closely at Moorish converts to Catholicism. Eventually the Spanish didn't trust those either and expelled them after a Morisco revolt in the time of Phillip II of Spain.

They essentially deprived themselves of some of their best and brightest thinkers, scientists, and the like. Stupidity, sheer stupidity.

Asa Point of Fact, the Portuguese actually welcomed the Jews at first. But pressure from Spain led to their expulsion there as well. (I think this might have been after Spain took over Portugal which it did for quite some time until 1648).

Cal

[Calixto]

The great philosoher Spinoza was a Jew of Iberian descent born in Amsterdam after his family fled the expulsions.

Just a side note related to the topic.