The Responsa of Rabbi Benjamin Ze’ev and the Question of Circumcision

The matter of uncircumcised Conversos and their eligibility for marriage was also discussed in the responsum of Rabbi Benjamin Ben … More

Secret Jews-The Rise of the Inquisition Box Set Promotion

Be sure to checkout the special promotion on the Kindle box set of Secret Jews and the Rise of the … More

The following rabbinic responsum further reveals how complicated the matter of circumcision could be among Conversos who had fled the … More

While he recognized the continuing theoretical validity of a Converso. i.e., a coerced Jewish convert to Christianity, to function as … More

Doña Gracia was probably introduced to many interested in the history of Spanish Jewry and Conversos by the work of Cecil … More

Amidst the momentous events of 1492, the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon were looking to the future. Christopher Columbus’ adventure … More

Much of Crypto-Jewish history often focuses on Spain, but Portugal, of course, was a key site of Crypto-Jewish activity. The … More

The growing proliferation of DNA and genealogical services have led to increased cataloging of DNA markers. Many Hispanics have taken … More

In 1640, the Duque de Braganca (King Joao IV) succeeded in throwing off Spanish rule in Portugal. Portuguese settlers were … More

It’s difficult to provide a complete list of Crypto-Jewish observances that Judaizing Conversos in the New World maintained, but the … More