Mallorca Chuetas are of Jewish descent, rabbi says

Gerald · 07-13-11, 06:09 AM

A senior Israeli rabbi has ruled that a group of residents of the Spanish island of Mallorca are of Jewish descent, reports say.

The Chuetas, of Palma de Mallorca, descended from Jewish inhabitants on the island who were forced to convert to Christianity 600 years ago.

Many can trace their heritage back to ancestors killed during the 17th Century for practising Judaism.

A rabbi was sent to the island to look at community members' family trees.

It was found that the group of 20,000 people had remained close-knit. Many have one of 15 distinct Chueta family names.

"Since it has become clear that it is accepted among them [the Chuetas] that throughout the generations most of them married among themselves, then all those who are related to the former generations are Jews," Hareidi Rabbi Nissim Karelitz wrote, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The Chuetas - whose name comes from the Catalan word for pig - suffered extreme oppression in the Middle Ages.

By 1435, all of them had been killed or had converted to Catholicism under duress.

Despite converting, many were not allowed to marry Catholics or adopt certain professions for many years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14122989

Note: 12 July 2011 Last updated at 12:39 GMT

Gerald · 07-14-11, 12:44 PM

It's pretty close,to HunterICX's hometown, it is possible to get a status report

MH · 07-14-11, 12:57 PM

Gerald · 07-14-11, 05:44 PM

Yes,here we go

07-13-11, 06:09 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Mallorca Chuetas are of Jewish descent, rabbi says A senior Israeli rabbi has ruled that a group of residents of the Spanish island of Mallorca are of Jewish descent, reports say. The Chuetas, of Palma de Mallorca, descended from Jewish inhabitants on the island who were forced to convert to Christianity 600 years ago. Many can trace their heritage back to ancestors killed during the 17th Century for practising Judaism. A rabbi was sent to the island to look at community members' family trees. It was found that the group of 20,000 people had remained close-knit. Many have one of 15 distinct Chueta family names. "Since it has become clear that it is accepted among them [the Chuetas] that throughout the generations most of them married among themselves, then all those who are related to the former generations are Jews," Hareidi Rabbi Nissim Karelitz wrote, according to the Jerusalem Post. The Chuetas - whose name comes from the Catalan word for pig - suffered extreme oppression in the Middle Ages. By 1435, all of them had been killed or had converted to Catholicism under duress. Despite converting, many were not allowed to marry Catholics or adopt certain professions for many years. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14122989 Note: 12 July 2011 Last updated at 12:39 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

07-14-11, 12:44 PM	#2
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	It's pretty close,to HunterICX's hometown, it is possible to get a status report __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

07-14-11, 05:44 PM	#4
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Yes,here we go __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

07-14-11, 12:57 PM	#3
MH Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,184 Downloads: 248 Uploads: 0