A key claim of some critics of Crypto-Judaism is the idea that the lack of Christian education among Conversos is a fallacy. They point, however, to prominent individuals like Geronimo de Santa Fe (Joshua Lorqui) and others who received high levels of education after their conversions.
The reality of the average Converso, who unlike Joshua Lorqui or Solomon Ha-Levi were not sincere in their conversions but were acting for the sake of survival, is reflected in an excellent article written by Maria del Pilar Rabade Obrado
La instruccion cristiana de los conversos en la Castilla del siglo XV–
For those of who can read Spanish, the article represents the rather dismal state of Christian education given to Conversos, and the awareness of this fact by the monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. In the coming weeks, I will begin linking to a very large number of articles which are excellent for those interested in a deeper understanding of the Converso experience.
Posted Rabbi Juan Bejarano-Gutierrez the director of the B’nei Anusim Center for Education and author of What is Kosher?
B'nei Anusim Center for Education 