Secrecy and Deceit: The Religion of the Crypto-Jews (Jewish Latin America) [Paperback]

David M. Gitlitz (Author), Ilan Stavans (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Jewish Latin America | Publication Date: April 12, 2002

This important history documents the religious customs of the crypto-Jewish culture in Spain, Portugal, and their American colonies, principally Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. In coping with clandestineness, crypto-Jews rapidly evolved their own idiosyncratic religion. Its Jewish core was quickly replaced with concepts and practices from the surrounding Catholic culture covered by a veneer of Jewish theology. Included in this award-winning volume are examinations of crypto-Jewish beliefs, superstitions, birth customs, education, marriage and sex, holidays, dietary laws, conversions and death, and burial practices. Secrecy and Deceit provides a comprehensive account of the customs of these secret Jews.

"Secrecy and Deceit provides rare glimpses into a subject that is increasingly fascinating to many different audiences."--Jane S. Gerber, Director, Institute for Sephardic Studies, CUNY Graduate Center

"Historians and students of comparative and popular religion will be drawing on this work for years."--Haym Soloveitchik, Yeshiva University

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award and the Lucy B. Davidowicz History Award

Editorial Reviews

Review

“His scholarship is massive and his book is both easily manageable and thorough.” -- —Lettre Sépharade

“Historians and students of comparative and popular religion will be drawing on this work for years.” -- Haym Soloveitchik, Yeshiva University

“Secrecy and Deceit provides rare glimpses into a subject that is increasingly fascinating to many different audiences.” -- Jane S. Gerber, Director, Institute for Sephardic Studies, CUNY Graduate Center

From the Publisher

Recipient of the National Jewish Book Award for Sephardic Studies and the Lucy Dawidowitz Prize for History.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 699 pages
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press (April 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082632813X
• ISBN-13: 978-0826328137
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #904,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A long unbroken chain to Spain, September 1, 2005

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El Picaro "Lion of New Spain" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrecy and Deceit: The Religion of the Crypto-Jews (Jewish Latin America) (Paperback)

This book is thorough in documenting the practices of crypto Jews from the 1390 uprising till the 20th century. The primary sources are from the inquistion records and contemporary documents. Critical volume for those interested in Sephardic Crypto Jewish customs.