VV(5) - Sephardim

[David Morris]

http://www.sirius.com/~ovid/alhambra.decree.html

The Alhambra Decree
This is the decree of expulsion promulgated by Queen Isabella and Kind 
Ferdinand of Spain in 1492, which forced the Spanish Jews, the Sephardim, to 
leave Spain for ever.

"You well know that in our dominion, there are certain bad Christians that 
judaised and committed apostasy against our Holy Catholic faith, much of it 
the cause of communications between Jews and Christians. Therefore, in the 
year 1480, we ordered that the Jews be separated from the cities and towns 
of our domains and that they be given separate quarters, hoping that by such 
separation the situation would be remedied. And we ordered that and an 
Inquisition be established in such domains; and in twelve years it has 
functioned, the Inquisition has found many guilty persons. Furthermore, we 
are informed by the Inquisition and others that the great harm done to the 
Christians persists, and it continues because of the conversations and 
communications that they have with the Jews, such Jews trying by whatever 
manner to subvert our holy Catholic faith and trying to draw faithful 
Christians away from their beliefs."

"Therefore, with the council and advice of the eminent men and cavaliers of 
our reign, and of other persons of knowledge and conscience of our Supreme 
Council, after much deliberation, it is agreed and resolved that all Jews 
and Jewesses be ordered to leave our kingdoms, and that hey never be allowed 
to return."


http://www.sirius.com/~ovid/abravanel.html

Edict Response by Isaac Abravanel
"Your Majesties, Abraham Senior and I thank you for this opportunity to make 
our last statement on the behalf of the Jewish communities that we 
represent. Counts, dukes, and marquees of the court, cavaliers and 
ladies.... it is no great honor when a Jew is asked to plead for the safety 
of his people.

But it is a greater disgrace when the King and Queen of Castile and Aragon, 
indeed of all Spain, have to seek their glory in the expulsion of a harmless 
people.

I find it very difficult to understand how every Jewish man, woman, and 
child can be a threat to the Catholic faith. Very, very strong charges.

We destroy you?

It is indeed the opposite. Did you not admit in this edict to having 
confined all Jews to restricted quarters and to having limited our legal and 
social privileges, not to mention forcing us to wear shameful badges? Did 
you not tax us oppressively? Did you not terrorize us day and night with 
your diabolical Inquisition? Let me make this matter perfectly clear to all 
present: I will not allow the voice of Israel to be stilled on this day.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, King and Queen of Spain, for I, Isaac 
Abravanel, speak unto you. I and my family are descended directly from King 
David. True royal bold, the blood of the Messiah, runs in my veins. It is my 
inheritance, and I proclaim it now in the name of the God of Israel.

On behalf of my people, the people of Israel, the chosen of God, I declare 
them blameless and innocent of all crimes declared in this edict of 
abomination. The crime, the transgression, is for you, not us, to bear. The 
unrighteous decree you proclaim today will be your downfall. And this year, 
which you imagine to be the year of Spain's greatest glory, will become of 
Spain's greatest shame."

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