Rites and Ceremonies
The rituals of the Jews of Ribadavia in the 16th century were proof of their fidelity to the God of Moses, but also the tool of the Inquisition for their accusation and condemnation. Thanks to these paradoxes, the records of the Ribadavia trial allow us to know how the conversos of Ribadavia lived Judaism, the religion of their ancestors, in secrecy in the 17th century.
Ethnologic Museum
The cremonies
Sabbath
The Sabbath for the Jews is like Sunday for Christians: a sacred day of rest and prayer. On Friday evenings, the Jewish converts of Ribadavia would light candles, and the women would wash and change their clothes to prepare for the celebration. On Saturday mornings, they would also wash and wear festive clothes, gathering more or less secretly to pray at the house of Rabbi Felipe.
Yom Kippur
It is the most solemn celebration in the Jewish calendar and its purpose is to ask for forgiveness for sins. In Ribadavia, it consisted of a day of fasting without working, known as the “great fast,” also called the “September fast” or “harvest fast.” The Jews of Ribadavia observed this religious holiday on October 1st, during the harvest season, and on September 10th, as important rabbis had done to begin their new lives. They were also accused of fulfilling this precept in every Inquisition decree in Compostela. In fact, there is a direct relationship between this annual September festival and the celebrations of the Virgin of the Portal, and the “Festa da Istoria” (Festival of History): festivals that overlapped over time and shared the common denominator of coinciding with the grape harvest in Ribeiro.
Passover
The Jewish Passover (Pesach) takes place in March or April: during 8 days, it commemorates the liberation of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Jewish converts of Ribadavia celebrated it starting on the 14th of March, abstaining from any servile work for eight days, eating unleavened bread at the Passover meal.
Prohibited Foods
The Torah prohibits certain foods and requires others to be prepared in a specific way. The Jews of Ribadavia had to follow the same biblical ritual precepts when eating meat, ensuring the blood was drained, a requirement which was part of their religious obligations and duties. A common meal found in Soto was covered by figs or anchovies. The children were involved in this ritual, and no work could be done on those days, even on set days.
Prayers
They recited Jewish prayers at home or during community gatherings, such as Adonay and the Sem prayers. The Sem prayer is very important and was adorned with biblical passages that proclaimed that God was one. Jews did not sing to the Holy Trinity, which was imposed by Christians on the Jews.
