June 1401
The changes of history move in irregular, and fickle ways. For the Jews of Spain, the madness of the last ten years had given way gradually, to a momentary breathing space. Brought about by political changes in Spain’s royal and clerical courts.
However, at all times a small number of converted Jews or
“New Christians” maintained their influential roles at the upper levels of government.
For Don Pablo de San Miguel the past years had brought many things. Although the memories of Seville still lingered, they had been dulled by time. His arrival in Toledo, which seemed so long ago now, had been filled with many dangers, hard work, sadness, success, and much happiness. He had achieved his impassioned aim of becoming a physician.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he was well known and admired by all of his patients. Regardless of whether they were New Christians, Old Christians, or Jewish.
61
JOSEPH HOBESH
Fray Vincente’s death had, it seemed, been adequately dealt with. Pablo’s longing for punishing those responsible for the death of his parents had greatly diminished. He was very grateful to Brother Pablo and Señor Alverez.
But today, Don Pablo de San Miguel’s happiness would truly begin. He was to be married to Gracia, whose love he cherished more than anything else in the world.
As he dressed for his wedding, he thought of many things, but mainly of Gracia. She had won his heart without really trying.
Gracia, with her father’s flashing eyes and her mother’s stately grace, was beautiful there was no doubt of that. But most important she understood, probably better than he, the dangers of living their lives as secret Jews. He remembered that Easter week as the whole family was leaving church. A Dominican friar had begun preaching an inflammatory exhortation against Jews pretending to be Christians. His words became so slanderous that Don Pablo, barely able to contain his anger, began to move towards him with clenched fists. Gracia managed, without visible effort, to stop him before he could inflict any harm to the friar or the family itself.
The wedding ceremony was another example of the self-discipline required to maintain the secret lives they lived. First a Christian ceremony held at the church, a fiesta to follow, with all the Alverez’s Christian friends in attendance. Then tomorrow a second Jewish ceremony in the secret chapel. A ceremony which for him and Gracia would have the most meaning, followed by a smaller fiesta.
Just thinking about all that had to be done, all the preparation that was required boggled his mind. Yet Gracia and all of the Alverez family were masterful at the art of duplicity, concerning their true religion. An art he too would learn to master.
His thoughts turned to his uncle in Seville; he had no word of Brother Pablo in ten years. Señor Alverez could not provide any 62
SEPHARDIC FAREWELL
information, his travels to Seville ended about eight years ago for reasons of ill health.
Don Pablo felt a great debt of gratitude to both Brother Pablo, Señor Alverez and of course Juan Pacheco. But his strongest feelings were for Gracia, she loved him, and his love for her was the most profound a man could feel for a woman.
Both wedding ceremonies and fiestas went well. Still the one in the hidden chapel performed under the huppa— the bridal canopy, was the most memorable for the wedding couple.
Sitting on a talamo— the nuptial bench before two candles. As the rabbi blesses a glass of wine from which both bride and groom take a taste, it symbolizes their commitment to share everything.
Then Don Pablo places a golden ring on Gracia’s finger saying the words: “Arey at mekudeshet—Be thou consecrated to me by this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel.” The ketubah, the wedding contract, is read and the shevah berahot, the seven blessings, are recited. Don Pablo then smashes the glass both have tasted the wine from, crushing it. A painful reminder of the destruction of both temples in Jerusalem. Although the ceremony ends with sadness, the wedding fiesta that follows is a joyful affair. Complete with singing, dancing, eating and drinking.
Yet underlying the happiness of the ceremony, is the agonizing sense of risk and danger Conversos endured. So great was their yearning to practice their true faith.
Six months after the wedding Gracia and Don Pablo continued to live with the Alverez family. When an opportunity to begin a practice in Seville became available—Don Pablo fearful of returning to Seville, but wanting to establish a practice of his own—cautiously accepted the offer.
Gracia, although sad at leaving her mother and father, looked forward to the warmer climate. The greater social opportunities available in the larger city of Seville were another reason.
63
JOSEPH HOBESH
So it was with mixed emotions on that June day in 1402 that the San Miguel family left Toledo, bound for Seville. Gracia three months pregnant, and Don Pablo happy beyond description.
The journey was hard, but hardest on Gracia who accepted it valiantly. Soon after their arrival, they purchased a home close to the Juderia, the courtyard of which adjoined the home of a family named Halavi.
It was there that they settled into a happy and comfortable life. Their first and only child, who they baptized Francisco, was born six months after they arrived. The B’rit mila— the circumcision ceremony—was a difficult problem but with the help of the Halavis they were able to locate a Mohel— the person that performs the actual circumcision. Eight days after the baby was born the B’rit Mila was fulfilled, and the baby given his Hebrew name of Isaac.
They continued to live their lives of duplicity, attending Mass, celebrating feasts. But always, visiting different
“courtyards,” observing Jewish holidays, commemorating Shabbat, and by doing so, kept alive their most meaningful beliefs.
The years ahead would bring Gracia, Don Pablo and their son Francisco happiness, but also lives that were filled with sadness and much danger.
64