HIST 219 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Sabbatai Zevi, Sephardi Jews, Mercantilism
Document Summary
Conversos--were forced to convert to catholicism in portugal/spain. By late 1500"s, conversos are leaving portugal/spain en masse, many end up in amsterdam. Conversos begin more openly living as jews--in cities w/out big trad jewish communities. Movement to rejudaise results in a reimagination of judaism w iberian cath cultural elements. New jewish nacao/nation identity for portuguese jews. Jewish identity on based solely on relig. More of a spiritual identification w jewish traditions--actually keeping jewish law was not important--belief in laws over observance. Argues that relig insts r corrupt, piety is available to all regardless of relig, laws of the torah r not from god/binding to jews, virtue comes from living according to living by reason--not relig. The state should pursue its econ ints irrespective of law/trad/pop opinion. The strength of the econ depends on intl commerce. Begin to see readmission of jews, whether officially/unofficially. Resulted in rapid decline in violence against jews/expulsion.
