Córdoba and Toledo synagogues: background and founders' inscriptions

CORDOBA SYNAGOGUE (c. 1315)

Córdoba retaken in 1235

Great tensions aimed at Jews in Córdoba by 1250

Papal Bull of Pope Innocent IV issued in 1250

Excerpt: "We have learned that, despite the prohibition of our dear son, the Archdeacon of the Chapter of Córdoba, the Jews of the province of Córdoba are rashly presuming to build a new synagogue of unnecessary height thereby scandalizing faithful Christians and causing much harm to the church of Córdoba, wherefore . . . we command [you] . . . to enforce the authority of your office against the Jews in this regard. . . ."

Founder's inscription:
"Isaac Menhab, son of the honorable Ephraim, has completed this lesser sanctuary, and he built it in the year [1314-15] as a temporary abode. Hasten, O God, to rebuild Jerusalem."

SYNAGOGUE OF SAMUEL HALEVI ABULAFIA ("EL TRANSITO"), TOLEDO (1357-66)

Patron = Don Samuel Halevi Abulafia

• prominent family of Toledo

in service of Pedro I ("the Cruel") of Castile

• ascended to throne at age of 16 in 1350
• shocked aristocracy by his wedding shenanigans:
  • marriage arranged to Blanche de Bourbon, niece of king of France
  • but Pedro meets Maria de Padilla, who becomes his mistress; they secretly marry in 1352
  • 1352: Blanche comes to Spain; he makes her wait
  • 6/3/1353: solemnizes marriage to Blanche, but abandons her 2 days later and goes back to Maria
  • Blanche imprisoned by his order, and eventually dies in Spain, or is killed by Pedro's order
  • this angers French, and splits Castile
    • an opposed camp rallies around his brother Henry
    • but another camp rallies around Maria, including a number of Jews
      • was Blanche planning to follow French lead and persecute/banish Jews?
• "the Cruel" because of # of opponents he had murdered, in cruel ways
• also, aroused resentment for # of Jews he had in his court
  • called the "king of the Jews"
  • while Jews praised him as "Israel's savior"
• Samuel became his treasurer, royal tax collector, and confidant

Samuel Halevi Abulafia to Pedro I "the Cruel":
"give me the fortress of Hita and Trujillo, and I will reform the collection of taxes throughout the kingdom and enrich the royal treasury"

• makes comprehensive inquiry into tax farmers ( almoxarifes )
• requires them to pay $$ still owed
• confiscates some estates of nobles
• his signature is on royal instructions re revenues
• 1358: sent to negotiate a political treaty between Castile and Portugal

Don Pero Lopez Ayala (in Rimalso del Palacio):
"they suck the blood of the afflicted people; they lap up their possessions with the tax farming. Don Abraham and Don Samuel, with lips as sweet as honey, obtain from the king whatever they ask"

• eventually Pedro turns on Samuel, and has him arrested, and his estate confiscated
  • the trouble with "lending" money to a king, especially in such troubled times!
  • eventually executed

Founder's inscription (partial) in the "El Transito" synagogue
"And the house which Samuel built
And the wooden tower for the reading of the written law
And the scrolls of the Law and the crowns thereto
And its lavers and lamps for lighting
And its windows like the windows of Ariel
And its courts for them that cherish the perfect law
And seats, too, for all who sit in the shade of God
So that those who saw it almost said, "This semblance
Is as the semblance of the work which Bezalel wrought."
Go now, ye peoples, and come to my gates
And seek the Lord, for it is a house of God even as Bethel."

Also:

• Samuel called "prince among the princes of the tribe of Levi"
• and extols Pedro I as a great king
• and here and throughout: escutcheon of Pedro I