Some Jewish Witnesses For Christ
each other in ascribing the succession at Burgos to both him and his
brother Alonzo, which cannot be unless one brother succeeded another. In
1431 he was the representative of Castile at the Council of Basel. Pope
Pius II., in his memoirs, called him "An ornament to the prelacy." Pope
Eugenius IV., hearing that the Bishop of Burgos was about to visit Rome,
declared in full conclave, that "in presence of such a man he felt
ashamed to be seated in St. Peter's chair." Among Carthagena's writings,
on history, morals, and other subjects, there is a commentary on the
twenty-sixth Psalm, "Correctus Ludovicius."
Cohen Todoros, a native of France, lived at Florence in the sixteenth
century. After he embraced Christianity, at the age of fifty, at Geneva,
he wrote a book entitled "Maroth Elohim, Liber Visorum Divinum," in
which he relates the history of his conversion, and quotes passages from
the Bible and Kabbalistic works in favour of Christianity. The work,
published in Paris in 1553, was translated into Latin by Angelo Caruni
(Florence, 1554). It is inserted in Johannes Buxtorf's "Synagoga
Judaica."
Cohen, Archbishop of Olmütz, Austria, at the end of the nineteenth
century. He wrote many works on Roman law, notably one entitled, in
German, "The Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire from the
Standpoint of Jurists" (1897).
Coronel, Paul Nunez, born at Segovia, died in 1534. He was a rabbinical
scholar, and after his conversion he was appointed Professor at the
University of Salamanca. Cardinal Ximenes de Cisneros commissioned him
to translate the Bible into Latin. This translation is contained in the
"Complutensian Polyglot" (1541-17). He also wrote "Additiones ad Librum
Nicolai Lirani de Differentiis Translationem (Verborum)," which has not
been printed.
Crescenzi Alexander lived at Rome in the seventeenth century. In 1666 he
translated from the Spanish into Italian Antony Colmenarde Ludesina's
treatise on "Chocolate." Mandosius speaks of him as a mathematician who
became celebrated on account of his report, which he edited with
mathematical notes, on the eruption of Vesuvius in 1660.
Christiani Pablo, a convert of the thirteenth century. After his baptism
he became a member of the Order of the Dominicans. He is notorious as an
over-zealous missionary, who cherished the Boanergian spirit more than
the spirit of Christ towards his brethren, and he is only mentioned here
on account of the famous controversy he held at the palace of King James
with the great Rabbi Nahmonides, when he tried to prove from the Talmud
the truth of Christianity, and Rabbi Nahmonides declared that he did not
believe in the Haggadic stories of the Talmud.
Compiegne de Weil, Ludwig, lived at Paris, and later at Metz, in the
second half of the seventeenth century. He was a descendant of Rabbi
Jacob Weil, of Nuremberg. After embracing Christianity he studied
theology at the Sorbonne. He translated several parts of Maimonides'
"Yad ha Hazakah."
Conrat Mose (Cohen), born in Breslau, 1848, attended there the gymnasium
St. Maria Magdalena, where he probably embraced Christianity. He was a
professor of Roman law at the Universities of Zurich and of Amsterdam.
David Bonet Bonjorn lived in Catalonia in the second half of the
fourteenth century. He is said to have been the son of the astronomer,
Jacob Poel. He was baptized in 1391. He had a friend by the name of
Propiat Duran, who was also baptized, but returned to Judaism. P. D.
tried to persuade him to follow his example, but when he refused, the
other addressed an epistle to him under the title, "Al Tehi Ca
Abothekha," which is considered as a masterpiece of satirical criticism
against Jewish converts to Christianity.
Davilla Diego Arias, minister and confident of King Henry IV. of
Castile, died in 1466. He and his family became Christians when Vincent
Ferrer was preaching special sermons to Jews, and it is recorded that
they were generous towards the Church. His second son, Juan Arias
Davilla, was Bishop of Segovia.
Delegado Gonçalo, a Portuguese convert of the sixteenth century, was a
poet. One poem narrates the circumstances of an English incursion in
1596, during which the town of Faro was stormed and sacked. The poem is
dedicated to Ruy Lourenzo de Tovava.
Deza, Diego de, was not himself a convert, but of Jewish descent. He was
second inquisitor-general, Bishop of Salamanca, Professor of Theology
there, friend and protector of Christopher Columbus, and finally
Archbishop of Seville, in which city he died in 1506.
Diego de Valencia, a satirical Spanish poet in the fifteenth century,
after embracing Christianity, entered the Franciscan Order, and
receiving the degree of doctor of theology, was known among his
contemporaries as a very learned physician, astrologer, and master of
sciences (_gran letrado_, _fisico_, _astrologo é mecanico_). He was one
of the leading Valencian poets, and most of his poems are contained in
the "Cancionero de Baena."
Dominico Irosolimitano, born in Safed, Galilee about 1550, died in Italy
about 1620. He was educated at the rabbinical college in his native
city, studying not only the Talmud, but also medicine. After having
obtained the degree of doctor and the title of Rab, he lectured on
Talmudic law in Safed. His fame as a physician spread far and wide, so
that the Sultan of Turkey summoned him to Constantinople as Court
Physician. Subsequently he embraced Christianity, went to Rome, and was
received at the college of the Neophytes, where he taught Hebrew. He was
then employed as expurgator of Hebrew books. Dominicus was the author of
a Hebrew book entitled, "Ma'ayan Gannim" (Fountain of the Gardens), on
the principles of the Christian faith. He also translated into Hebrew
the whole of the New Testament, and most of the Apocryphal books
(1615-17). He was the compiler of the "Sefer ha Zikuk" (Book of
Expurgation), still in manuscript, one copy of which (in the library of
Cardinal Berberini, Rome), shews revision by him as late as 1619.
Drach David Paul Chevalier, born at Strasburg, in 1791, died in Rome.
Drach was the son of a rabbi, and received a good education from his
father. In 1823 he embraced Christianity together with his two daughters
and his son Paul, who afterwards became a priest and a distinguished
Biblical scholar. Drach senior accepted the position of librarian of the
Propaganda in Rome. His principal works are the following: An edition of
the "Bible de Venice," 27 volumes, with copious and learned notes,
Paris, 1827, 33; "Relation de la Conversion de M. Hyacinthe (Simon)
Deutz, Baptisé à Rome le 3 Février," 1826; "Précédée de Quelques
Considérations sur le Retour d'Israel dans l'Eglise de Dieu," Paris,
1828; "Notice Concernant l'Origine et les Progrès de l'Hospice
Apostolique de St. Michel," Rome, 1842; "De l'Harmonie Entre l'Eglise et
la Synagogue, ou Perpétuité de la Foi de la Réligion Chrétienne," 2
volumes, Paris, 1844; "Lexicon Catholicum Hebraicum et Chaldaicum in V.
T. Libros, hoc est Gulielmi Gesenii Lexicon Manuale Hebræo-Latinum
Ordino Alphabetico Digestum," Paris, 1848; "Le Pieux Hebraisant," a work
containing the principal Christian prayers, and a summary of the
Catholic Catechism in Hebrew and Latin, _ib._ 1853; "Documents Nouveaux
sur les Restes des Anciens Samaritains" (from the Annales de
Philosophic Chrétienne), Nov. 1853, _ib._ 1854.
Eliano, Vittorio, grandson of Elijah Levita, a convert of the sixteenth
century. He became priest and canon. Well versed in Hebrew literature,
he was appointed censor of Hebrew books, first at Cremona, afterwards
(1567), at Venice. In this capacity he permitted (1557) the publication
of the "Zohar," and edited the "Tur" in 1558.
Eskelis, Denis Baron de, and his sister, Countess of Winifen, son and
daughter of Freiherr Von Bernhard Eskelis, Austrian financier, who was
the founder of the Austrian National Bank, embraced Christianity in the
nineteenth century. Denis succeeded his father in the management of the
banking-house.
Felix Pratensis, born at Prato, Italy, in the second half of the
fifteenth century, died at Rome in 1539. In 1518 he embraced
Christianity, then joined the Augustine Order and devoted himself to
missionary work among his brethren. He had a perfect knowledge of three
languages, and displayed such great fervour, though apparently with
little discretion, in his sermons, that he was called "the Jews'
scourge." While still a member of the synagogue, Felix published a Latin
translation of the Psalms, entitled, "Psalterium ex Hebræo ad Verbum
Translatum," Venice 1515. He arranged the Masorah for the "Biblia
Veneta," 1518, published by his disciple Bromberg.
Ferretti Francesco Maria (Abot), whose Jewish name was Sabbathai Nahum,
was a native of Ancona or had been rabbi there, for he calls himself
d'Ancona. He embraced Christianity in 1734. He wrote a book entitled,
"La Verita della Fede Christiana," Venice, 1741. In this book there is a
prayer in Hebrew and Italian which gives us an insight into his
experience and life as a seeker after the truth.
The prayer is as follows:--
"Creator of the worlds, Lord of lords! It is revealed and known before
the Throne of Thy Majesty that for many years my heart is restless and
my spirit is drawn hither and thither, in that the thought occurs to me
to forsake the faith of my fathers and to accept the Christian faith. I
do not, however, know whether this desire is good, a pure effect of the
working of the Holy Spirit, which aims at my salvation, and is
determined before the Throne of Thy Majesty, that Thy will and pleasure
should be accomplished in this faith. It is also known unto Thee that
just when I am in the synagogue or in the houses of study, and even in
the highest festivals when I am engaged in prayer, the desire of
acknowledging the Christian faith inflames my heart and mind to the
utmost. I cannot do otherwise. I must leave my bed in the middle of the
night, and with bitter tears which Thou wilt not disdain, beseech Thee,
that on the ground of Thy thirteen attributes, Thou mayest deliver me
from these inward vexations. Yet they become stronger and more vehement
every day, so that I am powerless to overcome them, and in weariness
repine. No sooner does one thought leave me than another arises; the
one whispers this, the other that. I am dumb and without advice. Thou
knowest also that, after I made an excursion and returned home, I felt a
little easier, but these thoughts took hold of me more mightily, making
me anxious with fear and dread, and giving me not a moment's rest either
day or night. They pursue me while dreaming or awake, on all my ways, so
that life is a misery to me. Therefore, O Lord, Thou God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, who art enthroned over the Cherubim, hear me! O Lord,
hearken unto me! Here I am, here I am! Behold, in fasting and in prayer
I supplicate Thy lovingkindness and grace, that Thou mayest graciously
incline to me from Thy throne of glory and grant my request. O, my God,
teach me to pray humbly and acceptably. Give me a new and pure heart,
and renew my spirit, that I may be enabled to understand the inward
emotions and to perceive the truth. Save me from this tribulation, and
lead me in the right way. If it is determined before the Throne of Thy
Majesty that I should accept the Christian faith, because it is good,
holy, and acceptable to Thee; O, so may it please Thee that I should
walk about in peace, and not depart from Thy way and will. All things
come from Thee, and Thou hast dominion over all, and Thou enlightenest
the eyes of those who love Thee, and Thou accomplishest that which is in
accordance with Thy counsel. When after this month is passed, these
spiritual emotions do not cease, then I will in truth acknowledge that