Isaac de Castro Tartas
Encyclopedia
Isaac de Castro Tartas was a Marrano
and Jewish martyr.
Castro Tartas was born in France, where his parents had found refuge. He was a brother of David Castro Tartas, and a relative of the physician Elijah Montalto, and was trained in philosophy and the classical languages. Early in life he went to Paraíba
, Brazil, where he lived for several years. Against the wishes of his relatives there, he went later to Bahia dos Santos, where he was recognized as a Jew
, arrested by the Inquisition
, and sent to Lisbon. Although a Dutch citizen, he was summoned before the tribunal of the Inquisition, where he at once avowed his belief in Judaism and his determination to remain true to the faith. All the endeavors of the inquisitors to convert him to Christianity were in vain.
On December 15, 1647 (not September 23, as was erroneously supposed), this young man was led, together with five fellow-sufferers, to the stake. In the midst of the flames he called out in startling tones, "Shema' Yisrael! [Hear, O Israel!] The Lord our God is One!" With the word "Echad" (One), he breathed his last. For several years the public of Lisbon repeated his last words, so that the Inquisition was finally compelled to interdict this confession of the Jewish faith, under the threat of severe punishment.
In Amsterdam
the tragic end of the promising young man occasioned deep mourning. A memorial sermon was delivered by Saul Levi Morteira
, and elegies in Hebrew and in Spanish were written in his honor by Solomon de Oliveyra and Jonah Abravanel
.
Marrano
Marranos were Jews living in the Iberian peninsula who converted to Christianity rather than be expelled but continued to observe rabbinic Judaism in secret...
and Jewish martyr.
Castro Tartas was born in France, where his parents had found refuge. He was a brother of David Castro Tartas, and a relative of the physician Elijah Montalto, and was trained in philosophy and the classical languages. Early in life he went to Paraíba
Paraíba
Paraíba Paraíba Paraíba (Tupi: pa'ra a'íba: "bad to navigation"; Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: is a state of Brazil. It is located in the Brazilian Northeast, and is bordered by Rio Grande do Norte to the north, Ceará to the west, Pernambuco to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the east...
, Brazil, where he lived for several years. Against the wishes of his relatives there, he went later to Bahia dos Santos, where he was recognized as a Jew
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, arrested by the Inquisition
Inquisition
The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...
, and sent to Lisbon. Although a Dutch citizen, he was summoned before the tribunal of the Inquisition, where he at once avowed his belief in Judaism and his determination to remain true to the faith. All the endeavors of the inquisitors to convert him to Christianity were in vain.
On December 15, 1647 (not September 23, as was erroneously supposed), this young man was led, together with five fellow-sufferers, to the stake. In the midst of the flames he called out in startling tones, "Shema' Yisrael! [Hear, O Israel!] The Lord our God is One!" With the word "Echad" (One), he breathed his last. For several years the public of Lisbon repeated his last words, so that the Inquisition was finally compelled to interdict this confession of the Jewish faith, under the threat of severe punishment.
In Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
the tragic end of the promising young man occasioned deep mourning. A memorial sermon was delivered by Saul Levi Morteira
Saul Levi Morteira
Saul Levi Morteira was a Dutch rabbi of Portuguese descent.In a Spanish poem Daniel Levi de Barrios speaks of him as being a native of Germany...
, and elegies in Hebrew and in Spanish were written in his honor by Solomon de Oliveyra and Jonah Abravanel
Abravanel
The Abravanel family is one of the oldest and most distinguished Jewish families of the Iberian peninsula; they trace their origin from the biblical King David...
.
External links
- This Day in Jewish History, December 15