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עמוד:64
A Woman of Valor The following describes how a Jewish woman called Doña Gracia , helped many Anusim * flee Portugal in the 16 century . As they were poor and lacked the means to take a long voyage , Doña Gracia provided for all of their needs from the beginning of their journey . She also paid ( bribed ) the wealthy ( Christians so they would turn a blind eye to the Jews’ escape . ) Thus this ’eagle’ rescued many of your children ... from the cruelty of the Portuguese , as if she were ( the hand of ) God during the Exodus from Egypt . ( based on the testimony of Shmuel Usque , The Consolation for the Tribulations of Israel ) Background Information In 1492 , the Jews of Spain were given an ultimatum : convert to Christianity or leave the country . Some stayed and converted , but most left . Many went to nearby Portugal , but five years later , Portugal too forced the Jews to convert to Christianity . Jews who were forced to convert were called Anusim by the Jews , Marranos by the general population and Conversos by the Church . Many of them continued to practice Judaism in secrecy . About forty years later , the Church in Portugal , following the Spanish lead , established a special court of law – the Inquisition – to investigate whether the Conversos were continuing to adhere to their Jewish faith and practice some of their commandments . Many who admitted “ guilt” were burnt at the stake and many who were suspected but did not admit to the charges were severely punished . Many of the Anusim feared for their lives and wanted to escape to more tolerant countries . Dona Gracia Nasi ( 1510-1569 ) Doña Gracia was born to a Jewish family of Anusim who fled to Portugal from Spain following the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 . Five years later , when the Jews in Portugal were forced to convert , Doña Gracia’s family converted to Catholicism , but continued to practice Judaism in secret . With the death of her husband , Doña Gracia decided to leave Portugal and settled in Antwerp ( now Belgium ) where she managed the huge family business , importing spices to Europe . Doña Gracia was one of the wealthiest women of her time . She was also one of the main organizers of an underground network helping Anusim from Portugal escape . Doña Gracia’s agents set up a network of places where the Anusim could hide until they reached safety . Doña Gracia later settled in Ferrera ( Italy ) where , for the first time in her life , she was able to live openly as a Jew . Anusim – – literally forced . This term refers to Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity .
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