April 1492
David Ben-Halavi
The synagogue was filled to capacity as the meeting was convened. Its stated purpose, to discuss possible solutions regarding the Expulsion Edict.
Ironically, since the meeting came one week before the holiday of Pesach, Passover, people were relating to the parallels between the holiday, and events actually taking place. Some even going as far as to venture that Adonai, the Lord, was playing some grim joke on the Jews of España.
David and Benjamin Ben-Halavi arrived at the synagogue early. Both silent, lost in their own thoughts. Neither was able to voice their true feelings. Express what both knew was the only solution available to them. Leave España and their Spanish lives behind, begin a new exodus.
75
JOSEPH HOBESH
For David, events had given him an even bitter pill to swallow. The loss of his younger son, Joshua. Lost to him in the spiritual and probably in the physical sense as well, if he persisted in his plan to sail with Colon.
During the Amidah—the ritual of prayers silently recited by all congregants—David Ben-Halavi repeated prayers for his whole family and all of the Jews of España. He fervently prayed for the Lord to watch over Joshua, to protect and forgive him.
Once the morning prayers were completed, the rabbi began the meeting, informing the congregants that all attempts to have the edict annulled or modified, to the best of his knowledge, had failed. The edict would be enforced in August.
“Although the news I bring is not good,” the rabbi continued.
“Not all of it is bad. I do have some good news to disclose. Sultan Bayazit of Turkey has agreed to allow expelled Jews from Spain to settle in his empire. Has even gone so far as to issue a firman.
A decree to his governors, threatening death to those who mistreat or harm us.”
The murmuring of the congregants grew loud at this news and many people began speaking at once. “Please, one at a time.” The rabbi tried to maintain some kind of order. Many congregants stood up and shouted for quiet, but calm was restored only after numerous outbursts of questions, comments, and cries for more information.
Finally Señor Levi, one of the synagogue’s most eloquent speakers, stood and started speaking. “Rabbi,” he began, “let me try to explain to everyone what our choices are and the consequences of those choices. If we can make our way to the Ottoman Empire, we will be allowed to establish our own synagogues, our own community, begin new lives. As far as what possessions we can take with us, how we will travel to these new lands, is what must be settled. The edict specifically prevents us taking any gold, silver or money, but all movable and immovable property we may barter, sell, or dispose of freely and at will. This will allow us to….”
76
SEPHARDIC FAREWELL
As Señor Levi continued to speak, David Ben-Halavi felt his thoughts drifting, drifting away. Was it only a year ago that his beloved Rachel was here with him? His sons learning the trade that would earn them a living when both he and Rachel were gone. Although life was not easy in España, they had been happy here, there was food on the table, pollo con arroz…chicken with rice for Shabbat dinner. Wine to make the proper blessings, and wine to celebrate life with. The print shop earned them a sufficient living, printing prayer books, and occasionally a hand bill or two. The scribe work that Joshua handled so well. Even the aftermath of the Pragmatica, the formal quarantine against the Jews, still lingered. The restriction to wear only black coats adorned with the red “Jew badge” on their outer clothing.
Confinement to walled ghettos. Even with these restrictions life had been good. The community had flourished.
But everything changed so quickly. Rachel’s illness. Her stomach distended, her breathing labored, she could not eat nor drink, and was in constant pain. When the end came, Halavi was torn by grief on one hand, and relief that her pain had finally ceased. He grieved greatly. Grieved even now, forty years she had been by his side, sharing in all the happy times as well as the sad. Now she was gone. The edict was now uprooting himself, and his sons. He and Benjamin forced to begin a new life in some foreign land. Joshua leaving on some perilous journey. His family splitting apart. He felt a tremendous weariness coming upon him, his eyes began to close. Señor Levi droned on. Then a soft whisper.
“Papa, Papa, wake up, the meeting is over.” It was Benjamin gently shaking him.
David Ben-Halavi became alert. “Eh, so what was decided?”
he asked, “That we should all leave as one community, find passage on one ship to take us to the Ottoman lands. But I am afraid our house and furniture will have to be sold. It would be very costly to try and take all of our possessions with us,”
Benjamin answered.
77
JOSEPH HOBESH
Just as I expected, thought David. Our house will be sold for next to nothing, our property taken when we are gone, the printing supplies, the press itself. “Ay de mi! ” he softly murmured, then got up and left the synagogue with Benjamin.
* * *
As Joshua concluded relating his plans to the professor, which was how he had always referred to Señor Zacuto, the renowned creator of the Almanach Perpetuum, the celestial tables, which allowed seaman to determine their latitudes without using the sun’s meridian, Professor Zacuto just shook his head sadly. Dismayed that Joshua Ben-Halavi had so recklessly decided to renounce his religion, and sail with Colon.He had grown fond of the boy while working with him to transcribe the celestial Almanach, which Captain Pinzon had ordered for his admiral.
Señor Zacuto had known Joshua’s family a long time and thought very highly of them. Whenever he was in Seville and in need of a scribe or of printing services, he always relied on the Halavis, whose work he felt was excellent.
Now what misery the edict is bringing to all of us, he thought.
Especially David Ben-Halavi, whose youngest son was not only converting, but leaving on a most difficult journey, fraught with danger. That the journey would be hazardous, was certain, for no one knew what lay beyond the vast ocean.
“Ay de mi! ” he murmured softly, the lad was in for a very hard time. The love of a woman does strange things to a man. Señor Zacuto had only one love. His work!
Joshua, noting the professor’s dismay at his plans, asked,
“And you, Professor, what will you do?”
“I will not convert, so I will leave! One of my former students at the University of Salamanca, Joseph Vecinho, the famous astronomer, has asked me to go with him to Portugal. I have accepted his offer. Maybe you and your family would join us. I 78
SEPHARDIC FAREWELL
am sure Señor Vecinho would be willing to help you as well.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Professor, but my brother thinks that going to Portugal is only delaying the final Edict. He suspects that King Joao will eventually issue his own expulsion edict very soon. My father and brother will be leaving for the Ottoman lands. I, as you know, will be leaving with Colon.”
As Joshua spoke he felt a sadness gnaw at his heart. There had been no word from Elena, and he was to be baptized in a few weeks. It appeared his future entailed a long ocean voyage and a life full of duplicity.
“Vaya con Dios— go with God, Joshua,” the professor’s voice interrupted Joshua’s thoughts. “And your father and brother as well. Now we must continue our work if we are to complete it on time.”
Joshua nodded his agreement and continued transcribing the last of the celestial tables.
79