Spanish Jews and their History

History

Famous Monuments

Andalucia Travel

Nature

General Information

History of Spanish Jews
Roman to Moors

Spanish Jews and their History

History of Jewish Settlers in Spain

Jewish immigrants probably first settled in Roman Hispania before the end of the 1st Century BC. See: Physical Map of Spain - Political Map of Spain

Jewish Menorah

Jewish Menorah

TimeLine of Jewish Settlers in Hispania Baetica

139 BC Jews were expelled from Rome and Italy
63 BC More Jews were forced to leave Palestine after the fall of Jerusalem
The Fertile Crescent fleeing Jews colonised Spain and North Africa

1st century AD Apostle Saint Paul visited the Spanish Jews
4th century AD Ecclesiastical view/opinion was anti-Jewish
The Council of Elvira, Granada, forbade mariage between Jews and Christians, though the two communities, otherwise, were encouraged to integrate
Some forced conversions happened.

Under Emperor Constantine, Christianity was declared the offical religion of the Byzantinium Roman Empire.
Jews became suject to Roman Law.
They were forbidden to own Christian slaves and were obliged to pay taxes.

The Visigoths and the Spanish Jews

Stringent anti-Semitic laws were introduced and enforced strictly.

Jews were banned from Public office
They were forbidden to build new Synagogues
in 589 AD the offical religion became Catholicism
Jews were forbidden Christian concubines
Illegitimate babies were immediately baptised
615 AD A decree ruled ALL JEWS must adopt the Catholic faith

Many Jews Left

The baptism laws were outwardly obeyed but many Jews left Spain as a result of the Baptism law. The children of Jewish converts, were separated from their families, and spent their youths as Catholics.

More Laws...

653 AD Celebration of Passover and other Jewish feast days were forbidden. Non-adherence resulted in severe penalties such as Burning-at-the-Stake.

The punishment for celebrating Jewish festivities began to slacken. In 681 AD the death penalty was abolished. However, in order to avoid that celebrations were not conducted 'in secret,' it became mandatory that the Jews reported to the Judge, on these very days.

The Catholic Church's stratagems created tyrannical Canons in alliance with the Visigoths' who enforced the despotic anti-Jewish policies.

The End of the World

During the 7th Century AD, many Christians, believed, the End of the World was near.

The Jews, in parallel, were waiting for the arrival of the Messiah.

As a result of these conflicting views, there was considerable pressure to convert rebellious Spanish Jews before it was too late.

The Jews were convinced the Messiah would save them.

The aforementioned Christian/Jewish impasse, was what prevailed, in Spain's religious/political affairs.

The Moors invaded Spain.

Moorish Spain's Jews

Some Jews viewed the Moorish invasion of 711 AD as the precursor to the arrival of the Messiah.
It was clearly, preferable, to collaborate with their new masters.

Jews were given the responsibility of consolidating what had been captured as the armies advanced throughout al-Andalusia.

Moorish Spain's Laws in comparison to Visigoth Laws

The old Visigoth rules though initially not changed, were not enforced.

A New Freedom Evolved

During the 9th century Iberian Peninsular's Jews were permitted to be landowners.

Surviving records chronicle how Jewish landlords employed Berbers to cultivate their land. Those records provide an inventory in the History of Spanish Food, the importance of cereal crop, olive and wine harvests.

Jewish Craftsmanship

Fine metal-work and quality tanneries evolved within the Jewish communities.
Jewish merchants employed by the Cordovan Caliphate, handled the customs and excise duty on imports and exports of silks and other exotic luxuries.