The Jewess of Lisbon (Portuguese edition) Paperback – August 30, 2021 Portuguese edition by Guiora Barak (Author)
Over the past ten years, Guiora Barak has published books in the United States, Israel and Portugal devoted to the character of Dona Gracia Mendes.
The Jewess of Lisbon – published in Israel in 2012, in response to the late Professor Cecil Roth’s statement that “nothing is known about Gracia until she reaches the age of 18”.
Nevertheless, Guiora Barak has imagined Gracia’s childhood and tells us how this young Christian learned it from her mother, of Jewish origin, then learned the history of her people and, by appropriating all this knowledge, Gracia was entirely transformed into another person.
Through the stories of her mother and Gracia herself, the author takes us on a journey through time, recounting the history of the Jewish people in Spain, from the Golden Age to their expulsion, arrival in Portugal under the reign of King Manuel I and forced conversion to Christianity.
Gracia learns about Portugal from Francisco Mendes, her friend and future husband.
As far as we know, Guiora Barak is the only author to link Gracia’s Zionist future to David Reuveni’s visit to Portugal and the influence this visit may have had on the “ANUSIM” in general and Diego Pires (SCHLOMO MOLCHO) in particular.
Reuveny’s visit and the projects he may have suggested to King João II are detailed in depth here.
The book also covers the Portuguese discoveries, the maritime economy of the time and Prince Henry himself.
In La Juive de Lisbonne, you’ll find some very interesting tales, always in simple language and accessible to all age groups.
The book gives the reader a detailed insight into the daily lives of the Marranos of the time, and their struggle to keep Jewish traditions alive, especially the rituals of Passover and other holy days, which they kept secret.
La Juive de Lisbonne is undoubtedly a work of great interest not only to the general public, but especially to the millions of descendants of Anusim (New Christians) who may have recently discovered that they are descended from the Jewish people. ”
Amazon Link book: https://www.amazon.com/Judia-Lisboa-Portuguese-Guiora-Barak/dp/B09F1CTD3V
