The Crypto-Jewish Community of Belmonte, Portugal (Jews of the Douro)

A brief look at the fascinating Jewish community of Belmonte, Portugal, which preserved their identity over 500 years until they were discovered by a Jewish engineer from Poland in 1917. Part of the Jews of the Douro River series, in connection with Kosher River Cruises and the planned cruise in October 2021. For more information visit kosherrivercru....
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[@EdMcF1]

In the far north-east of Portugal, there is a a village, Carçāo, which has another crypto-Jewish community. The village was apparently 50/50 Jewish/Christian. The symbol of the village is a menorah. In that area, called Tras-os-Montes (literally 'behind the mountains' as it is so remote from the rest of mainland Portugal), there is a type of sausage called 'alheira' (which means 'of garlic') made with chicken. The story goes that the crypto-Jews devised these sausages to show that they ate pork like anyone else, but used chicken (and I presume garlic to hide the flavour). They would let themselves be seen making and eating sausages so the Christians presumed all was well and good, as it were. Then eventually, when the sausage ruse was rumbled, the Christians decided it didn't matter that they were Jews, and that the alheiras were quite tasty, so adopted them as part of the local cuisine. They have a sort of 'horseshoe' shape. They are depicted on a mural in the nearby village of Vimioso, which shows everything from the sausage to the dreadful auto-da-fé as part of its portrayal of their history.

[@avirose194]

I was in Belmonte a few years ago and found this synagogue - it was a Saturday morning and when the members found out that we were Jewish and from Israel, they invited us in to participate in the service; afterwards they invited us to the brocha; we were surprised to find out that the children were named Chaim, Itzak, Chana etc. It was a beautiful experience; as we visited their museum and walked through the streets; to see buildings with Stars of David and Jewish symbols everywhere. The trip to Belmonte is highly recommended.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Fascinating!

[@jorgemtds]

That's how we Portuguese are. But Belmonte being in the interior and a small sized town, people are even friendlier.

[@GazilionPT]

If you haven't already, you should tell the story of "alheira", a kind of kosher sausage invented by the Crypto-Jews of Trás-os-Montes (my region) to fool Old Christians into thinking they were actually eating non-kosher blood/pork sausage. Very funny. (And very good - I love it!) Beware: nowadays there are several kinds of alheira (including vegetarian ones), so it's not guaranteed that they are kosher...

[@jorgemtds]

OMG. Alheiras are the best!!!

[@eslycarvalho8994]

I visited Belmonte some years ago. I also found out that Pedro Álvares Cabral, the official discoverer of Brazil was born there. My grandfather was born up in the mountains of Trás os Montes in Cinfães close to the D’Ouro where I still have family. I have an amazing story of how Judaism survived in my family. It is indeed painful to see to what lengths our foremothers (and forefathers) went knowingly and unknowingly to maintain Crypto-Jewish family customs and then not be recognized by many of our Jewish communities. I thank you Mr. Abramson for giving us - and so many others who know nothing about us! - the light of history that illuminates 500+ years of survival.

[@rubendias3973]

Portuguese here! 🙋 i live very close to Belmonte, in Viseu.

[@jorgemtds]

We seem to be quite a few around here 😁.

[@eslycarvalho8994]

Olá Ruben, my cousin Bartolomeu de Carvalho lives in Viseu. I have been there several times. My grandfather (and Bartolomeu’s)was born in Cinfães D’Ouro, Trás os Montes…

[@isafel9616]

Mais uma aqui😊

[@ManuelaGarcia-w4s]

Hello i am portuguese from Vila Real. Love jewish story,my grand mother was sousa,i work in Antwerpen 🇧🇪 With jewish. Rosenberg familly.

[@delfimoliveira8883]

Os Cristãos Novos ( New Christians ) are part of Portuguese identity untill now Portugal is the most Jewish country in Europe in culture and mentality

[@jorgemtds]

I totally agree Delfim.

[@delfimoliveira8883]

@Berta Maria Mota So much hate Berta Millions of lives where Lost by it E se estás a querer afirmar que eu não sou Português então para além do mais és parva e uma vergonha para a minha nação

[@guimts8881]

@Berta Maria Mota vixi Berta, traidor como? Juntar-se ao judeus não é trair ninguém. Vou aproveitar o resto da minha vida sim, mas não será levando desaforo seu.

[@jorgemtds]

Undoubtedly, the better well known Jewish Community in Portugal. They are however about 90Km (56mile) South of the Douro river. Belmonte can almost be considered in the Central part of Portugal. Douro is the North. I never knew about that engineer from Eastern Europe. Learning every day! Close to Belmonte you'll also find the CENTUM CELLAS Roman ruins. Lots of History in that beautiful place.

[@kristoffliftoff9316]

It’s so sad to see how rich Jewish cultural was in the Iberian peninsula. Even the kingdom of Portugal was hesitant to lose its affluent community, yet antisemitism still prevailed. Very sad.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

True, but it is inspiring to see the Portuguese Jewish renaissance in places like Porto!

[@eslycarvalho8994]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD Se are still present.

[@mzk1489]

It just seems to me, that from a Jewish point of view, Converso is bigger insult than Morano. But apparently their descendants don't think so, I also prefer Anusim. The term not only means "Forced", but is also implies a sin for which one is completely blameless. (It also means raped.)

[@VeraDonna]

While "converso" means "(forcedly) converted" and their descendants, I think it's more derrogatory to compare them to an animal that was banned in their diet. "S w i n e" is bad enough to a gentile, let alone to a jew.

[@joymoss-rendell2637]

Hello Rabbi Abrahamson. I live in Israel over 40 years now; originally from South Africa where we had a Rabbi by the same name as you. I am aghast at the fact that so many Bnei Anousim have been prevented from making aliya due to a lot of red tape in the Rabbinut. I truly hope that many from South and Central America who are longing to make aliya will be able to do so in my life time.. It would make me regain faith in my fellow Jewery.

[@gregcollins7602]

Good stuff. Been reading a history book about Lipan Apache history and the earliest accounts are of course from the 14th thru 16th century Spanish. When I read a name like Espinoza I immediately think of Professor Henry and his stories of the crypto Jews and conversos. Makes me wonder how many of those far out on the frontiers of Texas and New Mexico were escaping the inquisition?

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

There's some fascinating research on crypto-Jews in the American southwest!

[@gregcollins7602]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD yes sir. And I consume every bit of research that comes out like a starving dog.

[@jcosta8546]

You're wrong about Belmonte being close to Douro River. Douro River borders Douro Litoral and Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro provinces (districts of Porto, Vila Real and Bragança). Belmonte belongs to Castelo Branco district, in Beira Baixa, 175 km south of Douro... So, not "Jews of the Douro" at all...

[@junekroner6382]

Very interesting, I really enjoy your lectures and commentaries. Professor, I have a question and request. My ancestry indicates a heritage of Judaism, however, I can't find the link. It's through my paternal great grandmother out of Baden Germany. How does one find the link? I understand that in Germany there were Jewish townships/villages and Christian towns/villages. If a Jew left their faith it was the custom to change the spelling of their surnames. I think they would drop a consonant. In my case, 'Weikum', whereas, the Jewish spelling is with a double 'k' 'Weikkum,' Where do I go to research? I am stumped. It would mean so much to find this part of my heritage. It would light the desire to know more about our Jewish cousin's plight, customs and histories, etc. within the hearts of my family. Also, would you give a lecture on the history of Jews in Germany and especially the "German crypto Jews?" That is, if there were any. Thank you for bringing a Jewish wealth of knowledge to our ears.

[@avirose194]

Shalom June - you could try writing to: Jewish Genealogy Department at the Diaspora Museum in Israel. It is situated at the Tel Aviv University, Yafo - telephone number 972 3 7457800 - They have a website and are on Facebook. Good luck.

[@joaocoelho8320]

I'm Ben anus, a descendant of jews forcefully converted, my mom's side went to Azores, my dad's side remained in Portugal until going to African Portuguese colonies for awhile, im on my way to returning back to the tribe BzH

[@Lil.Isrealit]

Thanks for sharing this

[@elyjane6078]

We endure, but we will survive. Amen.

[@susrizk56]

This is for sure!…hier we are even when we are not supposed to…like me, finding mine roots after so many decades 🕎 Thanks rab for your contribution to this marvelous and beautiful Sefarad. Baruch HASHEM 🔯

[@isafel9616]

Também eu encontrei minhas raízes após tantos anos...

[@ErwinMaas]

I live in Portugal about 30 minutes from Belmonte and I come from Amsterdam. I practice genealogy and always wanted to investigate the Jewish community in Amsterdam, not knowing that I am só close to this community in Belmonte too, which makes it even more exciting!

[@antoniodefreitas2957]

Mr. Henry Crypto, the Jews first come to the Iberia Peninsula, with the Muslims when they invaded the Peninsula. However, the Jews of the Belmonte come from Spain once the inquisition was imposed.

[@DeanAdventure]

I genetically match the Sephardi of Belmonte. I must have had an ancestor from this group.

[@sturmanaskie]

Is there any info about whether there was migration of Belmonte Jewish people to Greece or the Ottoman Empire?

[@randya.mitchell1722]

There was no Christianity, there was Roman Catholic paganism. It had denied the original Jewish sect of the Nazarenes and become a conglomerate religion with no central truth.

[@User888-j5r]

Viva belmonte minha terra ❤❤❤

[@Draculina22]

In the Old Testament God said His name is "I AM." When God came to earth He put on flesh, to live and die as a man so he could fulfill the law and redeem us, since Adam and Eve disobeyed God we're all born into the law of sin and death, separated from God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. (John 1:1&14) Jesus said: Except a man be BORN AGAIN and born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:3&5) By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned. (Romans 5:12) The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:23) The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) Jesus was/is sinless, so the law of sin and death didn't apply to Him. Satan illegally killed him; which voided the contract and provided salvation. Old Testament God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am. Exodus 3:14 New Testament Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Am. John 8:58 When Jesus said "before Abraham was, I AM," the Jews knew exactly what he meant because they knew the Old Testament well. Jesus was calling himself God because Abraham lived 2042 years before Jesus. In the language spoken at that time when Jesus said God was His father, the Jews understood it as He is calling himself God. That's why they wanted to stone him. The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that THOU, BEING A MAN, MAKEST THYSELF GOD. John 10:33 Jesus, himself, said He is God. The Jewish people wouldn't have wanted to stone Jesus if He was only saying he was a child of God because all Jewish people consider themselves Gods children: Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son. Exodus 4:22 In the New Testament after Jesus rose from the dead a disciple called Jesus God: Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:28-29 Names of Jesus in Old Testament: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty GOD, The everlasting FATHER, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his NAME Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US. Matthew 1:23 The Bible names Jesus both the Son of God and God. This is why other religions are not praying to the same God as Christians; to deny Jesus (son of God) you deny God (Father). Other religions deny Jesus is the Son of God and God; Satan deceived them because living a "good life" doesn't gain you salvation or heaven like other religions claim, only Jesus blood does. Jesus said: I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6) Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:23) God performed the first sacrifice in Genesis. God, Himself, was the last sacrifice when he clothed Himself in flesh to die for us to save us. He is the Beginning and the End. The first and the Last. Old Testament Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6 I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. Isaiah 48:12 New Testament Behold, he (Jesus) cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:7-8 In Hebrews 1 God (Father) called Jesus God, quoting from the Old Testament, Psalm 45:6. God also said let all the angels worship Jesus: Old Testament Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Psalm 45:6 New Testament 1 GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his SON, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM. 8 BUT UNTO THE SON HE SAITH, THY THRONE, O GOD, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Hebrews 1 GOD IS OUR SAVIOR: Old Testament “I, even I, AM THE LORD; and BESIDE ME THERE IS NO SAVIOUR.” Isaiah 43:11 New Testament For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOUR, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. (Romans 1:16) Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1) wrote: I am the apostle of the Gentiles. (Romans 11:13) God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (Romans 2:16) I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS according to the scriptures; And that HE WAS BURIED, and that HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY according to the scriptures. (Corinthians 15:1-4) Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and BELIEVE in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9) 1) Cain = works from tilling ground = came from his actions and hard work 2) Abel = had no control, or labor, to birth the firstborn of the flock = signifying Jesus sacrifice = Salvation 1) Ishmael = works of flesh = doubting God alone can do it 2) Isaac = gift from God that was humanly impossible for them to get on their own = Salvation 1) Adam and Eve = covered with fig leaves = works 2) God clothed them = Jesus righteousness = free gift no works = Salvation 1) Adam - through one man came sin 2) Jesus - second Adam, through one man came Salvation Everything in the Bible points to JESUS. Works points to us = me me me = self righteousness = no salvation. From Genesis, God has types and shadows revealing our works won't save us. We're saved and kept saved by His gift, from Him alone, the blood of Jesus. Jesus said: Many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14) Enter by the narrow gate; wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) I am the door (gate): by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved. (John 10:9) The blood of Jesus is the ONLY NARROW WAY. This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11

[@m.c.fromnyc2187]

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[@stephenmoerlein8470]

Very interesting history. Thanks for posting.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jcosta8546]

Nowadays they talk a lot about the Jews of Belmonte. Well, today they amount to a mere 45 individuals... In the 1980s they were about 150. The centuries-long crypto-jewish culture has been destroyed by Jewish missionaries that settled in Belmonte a few years ago.

[@channahcastelobranco]

Thanks,,,,,😀🇮🇱

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

YW

[@larrywong7834]

Help Help I enjoy your videos immensely. Thank you for being so giving. Henry if I may___ ask you which of your videos discuss at length your thoughts on who the Pharoah of Mose's Exodus was and why. I did see you say in one of your YT video public comments section indicate Rameses ll. I need Understanding for this view. Seems Rameses has resources and time to chase down Moses and the Peoples even if it took him many many years and attemps. I mean if Ramese's Egypt lost all first born sons due to Moses it would be encumbered upon his "Greatness and Egyptian Duty" to hunt down Moses. Even if it takes 40 years.

[@larrywong7834]

Rameses ll first born son is Amun-her-khepeshef. He lived a long time.

[@elaneradim6117]

THANK YOU WOW

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you enjoyed the video!