The expulsion from Spain in 1492 is the central event of Spanish Jewish history. Forgotten Giants explores the lives; works; and ideas of twenty-six Sephardic Rabbis in the fifteenth; sixteenth; and seventeenth centuries; in the time period straddling this upheaval. Three generations of rabbis are included: those who were born and lived in Spain; those who were born in Spain but left at a young age; and those who were sons of Spanish refugees. Through the narratives of these twenty-six prominent rabbis lives; we learn about the world of the Jews in Spain before the 1492 expulsion; the struggles of the rabbinical leadership against the missionary efforts of the Church to convert the Jews; and the theological debates that took place; especially during the beginning of the fifteenth century. The expulsion of the Jews from Spain is covered; together with the exile to Portugal; the expulsion from Portugal; and the birth of the new Sephardic Diaspora in Mediterranean countries. Within that Diaspora; the book pays special attention to the establishment of the Spanish refugees in the Land of Israel; in the city of Safed and later on in Jerusalem. This fascinating series of tableaux of the lives of great Sephardic rabbis paints a vivid picture of Jewish life and thought in Spain before the 1492 expulsion; during the tumultuous years of exile; and after the reestablishment of the Sephardic communities in the Diaspora. In-depth portraits of the lives and works of twenty-six great Sephardic rabbis. Covers three generations of rabbis from the late 1400's to the early 1600s. Paints a vivid picture of the years before; during; and after the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain and Portugal. Revives the legacies of forgotten Sephardic giants. Details the persecution suffered by the Jews of this era at the hands of their governments and the Church. Reveals the beginnings of Sephardic settlement in the Land of Israel.
#1677530 in Books imusti 2016-01-10Original language:English 5.43 x 1.06 x 10.94l; 1.54 #File Name: 9351775526264 pagesHARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. For any one wanting to understand how Pakistan; once ...By Raju KaneFor any one wanting to understand how Pakistan; once conceived as a haven for all Muslims has now degenerated into an Islamist nightmare promoting a radical form of Wahabi Islam; this book is a must read. While the world reacts with horror to the atrocities and outrages of ISIS; it has strangely been muted about the way the Pakistani state has systematically targeted its minorities -- Shias; Ahmadiyas; Christains and Hindus.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Read to Recognize PakistanBy RadioFanAn eye-opening book on what kind of lawless and terrorist nation Pakistan has become. A must read for anyone interested in learning about what level of brutal religious atrocity is going on in Pakistan2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent; rigorous read on human rights Pakistani societyBy Devin ChaviraThis book is a must-read for South Asia watchers and for anyone who wants to understand the crucial; often hushed situation of minorities in Pakistani society. Ms. Ispahani offers a brave; in-depth take on this controversial subject; backed up by rigorous research and treated with the care of a passionate defender of human rights. Highly recommend.
