Nadene Goldfoot
- Trade routes: The Iberian Peninsula was a key destination on Phoenician trade routes, and there's a belief that Judeans, particularly under the reign of King Solomon (961-920 BCE) , were involved in some capacity with Iberian trade, potentially through Phoenician connections.
The Roman Republic began its conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, later known as Hispania, in 218 BCE during the Second Punic War against Carthage. While the Romans had some prior knowledge of the peninsula, their formal involvement and territorial expansion began with the landing of Roman troops in Emporion (modern Empúries). A few Israelites (Judeans) may have been included with the soldiers.
- The earliest documented presence of Jewish communities in Iberia (Spain and Portugal) dates back to the Roman period, starting in the first centuries CE, possibly including some who came after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Josephus goes on to report that after the Romans killed the armed and elderly Jewish people of Jerusalem, 97,000 were enslaved.
The dispersal of Jews to Spain after 70 CE wasn't a single deciding factor or organized migration but rather a combination of circumstances, including: Enslavement and deportation: Roman forces, under Vespasian (69-79 CE) and is son, Titus (79-81 CE), after the defeat of Judea, enslaved thousands of Jews and transported them to various parts of the Roman Empire, with some ending up in Hispania. Spain, as a part of the Roman Empire, offered a potential destination for resettlement.Existing Jewish Communities: There is evidence of a Jewish presence in the Iberian Peninsula even before 70 CE, likely due to trade and earlier migrations. These existing communities could have provided support and a destination for those displaced after the destruction of Jerusalem. Therefore, the movement of Jews from Jerusalem to Spain after 70 CE was a result of the traumatic events of the Jewish-Roman wars, including forced displacement and voluntary migration, and the existence of established Jewish communities in the Iberian Peninsula that offered a potential haven for those seeking a new home in the diaspora.
But the Jews aren’t done. The Emperor Hadrian (117-138 CE) had enough of the Jews’ stubborn refusal to maintain a distinct identity. So he turned the screws, passing laws suppressing various religious expressions. (There are Christian martyrs who were killed in this period as the law considered Christianity a sect of Judaism.) Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as the colony Aelia Capitolina, and banned Jews from entering. (This ban is continued through the Byzantine period.)
The year 711 was most important. (Is that why gamblers call for come on-7/11?) In 711 CE, the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula marked a significant turning point for the Jewish population of the region. Far from causing problems, this event brought about a period of relative relief and opportunity for Jews living under the harsh rule of the Visigoths.
Before the Muslim conquest, Jews in the Iberian Peninsula faced increasing persecution under the Visigothic kings who had converted to Catholicism. This persecution included: Forced conversions and expulsions: Jews were mandated to either accept baptism or be expelled from the kingdom, with many choosing to leave for North Africa or Gaul. Restrictions and discriminatory laws: The Visigothic code placed limitations on Jewish life, including prohibitions on intermarriage, owning Christian slaves, and holding public office.Confiscation of property and enslavement: At one point, all Jews were condemned to slavery, their possessions confiscated, and their children were taken from them to be raised as Christians.
The arrival of the Muslims was seen by many Jews as a liberation from this oppressive environment. They actively supported the Muslim invaders, providing assistance in administering conquered territories and even garrisoning captured cities. Under Muslim rule, which became known as al-Andalus, Jews were granted the status of "dhimmis," or protected people. While this status meant they were still considered secondary to Muslims, it guaranteed them the freedom to practice their religion, manage their own affairs, and participate in various occupations, including trade, finance, and scholarship.
This period is often referred to as a "Golden Age" for Jews in Spain, characterized by a flourishing of Jewish culture, intellectual life, and economic prosperity. Why Islam notes notes that this period brought Jews "nearly instant relief from the persecutions, harassment, and humiliation that they endured under hostile Christian rule". Many Jews from other parts of Europe and the Middle East migrated to al-Andalus, contributing to a vibrant and diverse Jewish community.
Therefore, the year 711 and the subsequent Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula did not cause problems for Jews in living in Iberia; rather, it ushered in a period of relative tolerance and opportunity, especially compared to the preceding Visigothic rule.
Rambam is the acronym for Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, better known as Maimonides. He was a prominent 12th-century Jewish philosopher, legal scholar, and physician. He lived from 1138 to 1204 and is considered one of the most influential figures in Jewish history.
He left Cordova where he was born at age 13 (1151) to escape the Almohade Persecutions and went to North Africa where he wandered and reached Palestine in1165, all the time writing, such as technical terms of logic as well as establishing thelist of 613 Precepts or Laws, as I call it. He found Palestine in a mess, still recoveringfrom the Crusades, so his family went to Egypt. At first he lived by trading in jewels together with his brother, David, but after David died in1170, he became the physicianto the viceroy of Egypt. Moses Maimon died at 70 and was buried in Tiberias.
- After 1492's Spanish ban on Jews, they moved to Portugal and were allowed there for a few more year before they were banned by the Pope.
- Al-Andalus refers to the historical period and territory of Muslim-ruled Iberia, spanning from 711 to 1492. It was a significant cultural and intellectual center during the Middle Ages, known for its unique blend of Islamic and Iberian cultures. Middle aged Jews found it hard to leave their homes, businesses, and some Jews became Marranos, or hidden Jews. Today we call them Anusim, as theother word means "pig". Many have returned to Judaism.
- Sephardic Jews in 1875
- Demonstrating their Sephardic status through various means, such as certificates from recognized Jewish communities or rabbinical authorities, proof of using Ladino or Haketia (Judeo-Spanish languages), and evidence linking their surnames to Sephardic lineage.
- Showing a special connection to Spain, which could include certificates of Spanish history and culture studies, knowledge of Ladino or Haketia, inclusion in lists of Sephardic families historically protected by Spain, or engaging in activities benefiting Spanish persons or institutions.
- Passing tests on basic Spanish language (DELE A2 or higher) and knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and social and cultural reality (CCSE). There were exceptions for those from Spanish-speaking countries, minors, and those with modified legal capacity.
- Presenting a birth certificate and a criminal record check.
- Paying an application fee, initially 100 Euros.
- The requirement for applicants to demonstrate a special connection to Spain was sometimes seen as difficult for those who had been disconnected from their heritage for centuries.
- The comparison between the expulsion of Jews and Muslims during the Inquisition was also a point of debate, with some historians noting key differences.
- Fraudulent applications have also emerged as an issue, leading to investigations and rejection of suspicious cases.
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