THE FATE OF THE ANUSIM As we have seen, the Arab period of Al-Andalus was very prosperous for Muslims, Christians, and Jews. However, several factors worked against Christianity at that time, including Catholic celibacy. Both imams and rabbis led normal lives and...
JUDAISM IN SEPHARAD After the death of Muhammad, there were military conflicts among those who, as brothers, listened to the teachings of the "prophet," as some considered themselves more "his followers" than others, a characteristic that has defined this sect to this...
THE BEGINNING OF THE SEPHARDIM We are now going to discuss the Sephardim not because they are less important than the Ashkenazim, but because they are less complicated yet more significant. This latter point, largely unknown today due to the majority extermination by...
THE ASHKENAZIM AND CHRISTIANITY TODAY As noted in the previous article within this diaspora, there are several movements, and one of them, the Orthodox, is fragmented into various groups. An interesting question to ask is: Orthodox regarding what? Well, they are...
THE ASHKENAZIM Although I want to focus more on contemporary history, it's good to start by saying that between the 11th and 15th centuries, major rabbinic schools (yeshivot) developed in the area of Spain (known today as Sepharad) and the Eastern European region...
A General Overview A few days ago, someone wrote to me asking to explain the differences between the various Jewish groups, although we have several articles on this Blog that discuss this (here), the topic is so complex that questions always remain. So, I take this...
Unfortunately, whether due to the influence of Hellenism or the spiritual blindness that existed in Israel, several sects appeared by the 1st century: the Essenes, the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and the Zealots, each with their own peculiarities and differing opinions...
On the occasion of the edict expelling the Jews from Spain by the Catholic Monarchs Isabel I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, Isaac Abravanel (Isaac ben Judah Abravanel), royal treasurer and personal advisor to Isabel, writes this letter that clearly illustrates...
The edict of expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 is one of the greatest crimes carried out in the name of Christianity. The words of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans: "Do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who...