Purim In Seville 1506

The sun is starting to set over Seville. I hurry home to my family.  Lent [Christian holiday] started last week. It’s a solemn holiday for them and the local villagers take it very seriously. Usually at night, the streets are quiet but because of Lent it’s quite busy now.

My family was forcibly converted to Catholicism in 1391 to avoid the Expulsion Decree. My family became secret Jews. My name is Samuel Garcia, most people call me Sammy. I was born in 1492. I, of course, don’t remember the expulsion decree, but my father and grandfather do. My Grandfather often tells us of those horrible times.

I just turned 14 years old. Now because I’m over bar mitzvah and can keep a secret, tonight I will celebrate the holiday of Purim. We will gather in our friend’s wine cellar to hear the Megillah reading.

Because of the solemnity of the Christian holiday, we secret Jews have adapted Purim [the story of Esther and Mordecai] to be similar to their holiday so we can blend in.

[The Purim celebration was frequently held during the Christian Lenten season, to make it appear that fasting rituals (a, form of self-mortification or, repentance) would be seen as penance, rather than Jewish observances.]

If we were caught, it would be very dangerous for our friends and the families.

Esther is our heroine of the Purim story [and yes, Esther was a secret Jew in the palace]. But we improvise and call it the holiday of St. Esther. We added some customs for our secret Purim:

Fasting for 3 days for those who can do it.

Listening to the Megillah [if there is one available].

Serving traditional food is Garbanzos con Espinacas y Garvellones [chickpeas with spinach and hearts of palm]

[Women were crucial in maintaining these hidden traditions, often leading prayers in Spanish instead of Hebrew, as they were less likely to be suspect than men.

For those who had been forcibly converted, Purim offered hope and a story of survival, serving as a reminder of divine protection.]

Now it is dark. Shadows dance in the light of the lanterns that people carry. I walk quietly to the meeting place. I know the address by heart as my friend lives there. There were specific warnings: walk quickly, but do not run. Do not enter if there are more than two people at the door. Walk around the block and try later to avoid suspicion.

As I arrived at the address, there were several people outside as if waiting to go in. I became alarmed that we might alert the inquisition.

I walk up to someone and asked.

“Is this the bakery?”

Everyone turned around and looked at me.

“No child. It’s not. What are you looking for?”

I thought quickly. And said, “I’m looking for Garbanzos con Espinacas y Garvellones.”

 I knew mentioning this Purim dish would alert the secret Jews, who would leave. Those who remained might be spies. Immediately it had the effect I wanted. About 10 people left, leaving 3 people there.

I casually followed the small crowd of secret Jews.

“Does anyone know where I can get that dish served to me?” I asked.

“Do you really want that dish?”, one person asked me.

I looked around and quietly said, “Yes.”

“Then follow us. We’re going to split up in groups of two. You will be one of the last ones to enter with Rafael here.” I quietly followed along. We all circled a different building each entering two at a time.

We entered a dark corridor outside the tall apartment building. There was a long hallway lit by small lanterns, which were casting eerie shadows around us.

I entered with Rafael. Once inside everyone turned towards me.

“Your warning was very clever” said a man stepping toward me. I was nervous and afraid.

“Sammy! You’re safe! Thank God!”

I turned around to see my father.

“Carlos, this is your son?” asked the man, stopping suddenly.

“Yes Juan. He is my son. He just turned 14 so he can join our minyan.”

“Your son saved our lives tonight!” said Juan.

“He did? What happened?” asked my father.

“We went to the place for the Megillah reading and it was locked. Without realizing it, more people gathered there. Your son saw the situation and asked if it was the bakery. Late at night during the Christian holiday this was ok, so no one would be suspicious. But then I asked him what he was looking for and he said,” Garbanzos con Espinacas y Garvellones”. After he said that, I realized something was wrong and we all left quietly. We came here only entering in pairs of two. Do you know what happened at the other meeting place?” asked Juan.

“I’m not sure but I thought I saw Inquisition spies outside there today. I do pray that nothing happens to the Lopez family,” my father said.

Everyone began talking at once.

“Hush everyone!” said my father. “We must hurry and finish the Megillah reading and return to our homes so no one will be suspicious.”

As if on cue, Juan began reading the Megillah.

After the reading my father made another announcement.

“Attention! We must be extra careful tonight. Everyone will leave in pairs and wait at least five minutes before the next two people leave. Use the back exit. Two people at a time. And Juan, please take my son home for his own safety, in case the spies are outside.” my father asked.

I looked up in horror at my father.

“Sammy I know what you’re thinking but trust me and go with Juan.”

I nodded my head yes and followed Juan out. Once we got within two streets of my house, Juan left and I finished walking home.

Once I got inside, I was surprised to see father was already back.

“How did you get back so quickly?” I asked my father.

“Sammy, I will show you soon. There are many secret passageways that we use when we can’t be out at night.”

I saw my grandfather sitting in the other room. He motioned me to come sit with him.

“Sammy,” my grandfather said,  “You are quite the hero tonight! Now that your siblings are sleeping I want to tell you about how Purim was when we could celebrate it freely.”

He began. “Many years ago before the Inquisition got into full swing, we had Purim. And what a Purim it was!

There was gladness and joy!

So many Purim parties to go to! Children dressed up in amazing customs as they went from door to door giving out shalach monas. [Purim treats]. And the reading of the Megillah was like no other!  Many men wished to have the privilege to read from the ancient scroll. They were practicing all year, but only one was chosen for each synagogue. [There were 23 synagogues in Seville before the expulsion from Spain in 1492].  And what a battle for the Megillah reader to finish reading it amongst the noisemakers [graggers] drowning out the name of Haman, as one needed to hear every word.

It was such a festive time.”

Grandpa’s voice changed. “And then times of trouble came in 1492.

The Jews were given a choice leave or convert to Catholicism.  This was terrible as many Jews could not leave so easily.  And many pirate ships were circling the coast of Spain looking for the Jews. So some of us decided to stay until this whole thing blew over and we could be Jewish again outwardly.  This wasn’t an easy task. [and it never “blew over “].

We hid our Jewish identity and outwardly appeared as Christians, but in reality we were secret Jews.

Purim was such a loved holiday. But how could we keep it? Many spies from the Inquisition were watching and ready to pounce on any “New Christian” [forcibly converted Jew] who might be behaving as a Jew .

You know all the customs that we keep now. Especially that amazing dish Garbanzos con Espinacas y Garvellones!” Grandpa smiled. “And now Sammy, you should get some rest.”