New Year’s Day 1502
Munching on a churro— a sweet, filled pastry, Diego sipped his hot chocolate, as his thoughts returned to what he had been told by Hernan. I must learn more about Marranos, and secret Jews, he thought, again beginning to feel depressed.
Hardly noticing his mother and aunt, as they swiftly moved about the kitchen directing the servants, preparing for the Año Nuevo— New Year’s day meal.
Last night— Nochevieja— New Year’s Eve, the whole family, along with the household servants, celebrated the ending of one year, and Año Nuevo— the beginning of a new one.
The evening had begun with a festive meal, along with drinking much cava—a pleasing sparkling wine. Followed by delicious desserts made with almonds and honey. The festivities continued through the night with many toasts made to the Patron and Patrona, their families , and guests. Wishes for a good, happy and prosperous new year echoed through the house till the early morning hours.
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SEPHARDIC FAREWELL
Unable to stay awake till midnight, Diego had fallen asleep at about eleven-thirty. Aunt Francisca, with the help of one the servants, got him to bed. And even with all the noise Diego managed to sleep all night.
Awaking early, he made his way to the kitchen. There he was greeted, “Buenos, Año Nuevo,” by the cook, as she served hi s churro and hot chocolate .
A short while later his mother and aunt emerged from their rooms. Cautioning Diego about eating too many churros, they then began issuing instructions to the cook, and the other servants.
Finishing his small breakfast, Diego left the kitchen and headed for a more tranquil space—his father’s library. There he expected to find a book that would clarify, for him, what he had been told by Hernan regarding Marranos. And hopefully, the easing of his persistent troubled thoughts.
Entering the library, Diego looked at a number of books he did not fully understand. Continuing to peruse the many volumes available, he chanced on one called The Zeal of Christ Against Unbelievers.
Written in the fifteenth century by a converted Jew. It maintained that survival of Christianity required converting all non-believers to the true faith. It explained the Jewish-Christian link, and provided a comprehensive description of the Jewish faith. It also praised Jewish translators for allowing Arabic knowledge to be disseminated to the non-Arabic world, via their translations of Arabic scholarship. Although his grasp of what he was reading was marginal, he was beginning to get a sense of the religious differences he had encountered.
Jews were not devils, or evil beings. Jesus himself had been born a Jew!
Continuing to read and struggling to comprehend, Diego’s study was interrupted by his mother’s voice calling him to get ready for the Año Nuevo meal.
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JOSEPH HOBESH
* * *
Gathered at the holiday table, the Cortes and de La Casa families were enjoying the festive holiday meal. Everyone was eating with much pleasure and gusto, wine glasses were refilled many times. All, that is except Hernan.Hernan, still intoxicated with Maria de Ortega, picked at his food, and said little. Impatient, almost unable to wait until the end of the Navidad holiday, Hernan was attempting, in his mind, to find a way of explaining to his father, his desire to begin courting Maria de Ortega. And most important, the best way to approach the Ortega family.
Diego, on the other hand, seemed to have overcome his affliction. Reading the books in the library had given him some relief. His appetite returned. He was laughing more, and seemed his old self.
As the main part of the meal was coming to an end, Señor Cortes tapped on a glass to get everyone’s attention, and announced: “Time for the Ceremonia de Los Angeles— Ceremony of the Angels. Diego, come light the candles, and recite the Psalm.”
This simple ceremony started after Diego had become part of the family, and was Eva and Martine Cortes’ secret tribute to Diego’s parents.
The ceremony consisted of the lighting of two candles, and the reciting of Psalm 23. All of which Diego performed. He was told he was honoring his guardian angels, and he accepted the ceremony without question. Hernan, if he thought the ceremony was strange, never mentioned it. His only response was to tease Diego about it. Diego, completing the ceremony, returned to his seat.
“Bravo, Diego,” his Uncle Juan shouted.
“Muy bueno— very good, Diego,” his father remarked, as he began to pour more wine for everyone.
218
SEPHARDIC FAREWELL
“So, Hernan, why are you so quiet? Too much holiday for you?” his Aunt Francisca commented.
“No, Tia, I just have a lot on my mind, and I am a bit tired. So I think I’ll take my siesta a little early,” he answered, as he left the table.
Surprised at Hernan’s early departure, both Martine and Francisca spoke almost at the same time.
“Eh, Diego, what’s troubling your brother?” Martine’s voice silenced Francisca.
Hesitating before answering, Diego quickly blurted out, “I think it’s the beautiful Señorita we saw in Medellin. The daughter of Don Tomas de Ortega.”
Hearing the Ortega name, Martine became alert.
“What do you mean, Diego?”
Explaining the chance meeting, the information they received from the innkeeper, Diego continued. “She was beautiful, Papa. Hernan could hardly speak after he saw her.”
“A new infatuation of Hernan’s? She sounds intriguing,”
Francisca asked, of no one in particular.
Ay de mi. Of all the women in Medellin, why the Revenue Collector’s daughter! Martine thought.
The de Ortega name was a very old one. Although one with a Converso lineage.
Observing the look of panic in both Martine and Eva’s faces, Juan gently asked, “Why do you look so concerned? Surely Hernan is old enough to decide if he wishes to pursue a particular female. From the sound of it, he seems really smitten.
And what could be so wrong with the Revenue Collector’s daughter?”
Glancing in Diego’s direction, Martine carefully said, “Their limpieza de sangre—purity of blood, is questionable. Even though their descendants were baptized many years ago, it will always be an issue. Hernan cannot see this girl, nor form any kind of relationship.” Again looking at Diego, he continued, “Forgive me, Juan, but I must discuss this with Hernan only.”
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JOSEPH HOBESH
Reaching for the wine decanter, Martine smiled and said,
“Now, one more glass of wine before we take our siesta.”
As he abruptly changed the subject, Eva and Francisca nodded their heads in agreement.
A fleeting sense of sadness washed over Diego as he made his way to his room. Why does the talk of converted Jews make me feel this way?
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