How the Jews "discovered" America
The Discoverer
On Spanish prime-time television on October 12, 2024, Spain’s National Day, which marks Columbus’ arrival in the Americas, it was announced that Christopher Columbus was Jewish.
This is the result of a study that took them over two decades. They found that far from being born into a middle class family of artisans in Genoa, in Italy, as is commonly believed, Columbus is likely to have been born in Spain into a Jewish family.
The Financer
Luis de Santángel played a key role in the historical voyage of Christopher Columbus, which ultimately led to the European discovery of the Americas in 1492.
Santángel, a finance minister to King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, was a converso, a Jew who had converted to Christianity under duress, and he held a significant position within the Spanish court. His influence and strategic position allowed him to become an essential backer of Columbus's quest to find a westward sea route to Asia.
Despite initial skepticism from the Spanish monarchs regarding Columbus’s proposal, Santángel was convinced of its potential benefits. Understanding the financial and political implications of such a voyage, he played a crucial role in persuading Queen Isabella to reconsider her decision not to fund Columbus. Santángel argued that the venture could bring immense wealth and prestige to Spain and that it was an opportunity not to be missed.
His advocacy was so effective that he personally invested a considerable sum of his own money to help finance the expedition when the royal treasury was unable to provide the full amount needed. Some accounts suggest that Santángel contributed about 1.4 million maravedis, a substantial amount, which helped cover the costs of the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, as well as the salaries of their crews.
Santángel wrote a letter to the monarchs after Columbus's successful return, highlighting the importance of the voyage and its potential to change the course of Spanish and world history. This letter is considered one of the earliest written reports about the New World, emphasizing the significance of the discovery and the need for further exploration and colonization.
Luis de Santángel's financial support and influence at the Spanish court were crucial in making Columbus's historic voyage possible. His belief in the project and his willingness to invest in it played a key role in Spain's expansion into the New World, marking the beginning of a new era in global exploration and interaction. Santángel's contribution to this transformative moment in history underscores the impact that individual conviction and financial backing can have on the course of human events.
The Interpreter
Luis de Torres, originally named Yosef ben HaLevi HaIvri, was a converso, a Jew forced to convert to Christianity due to the dire threats posed by the Inquisition.
Columbus selected him for the voyage across the Atlantic because of his proficiency in Hebrew, Chaldaic, and Arabic, languages thought necessary for communication with the Asian territories Columbus aimed to explore.
