“Am I a common criminal now? Has my duty to the king and the king’s noblemen been all but forgotten?"
Madrid, Spain, Late 1400s–1500s
The months that followed were extremely difficult for Aviasar. The Inquisition raged ever stronger, trapping more Jews in its deathly vise. Who could escape the reach of the Church? It was only a matter of time until every Jew was caught, discovered by a neighbor eager to see another Jew burned alive before the masses.
Then, a visitor appeared one day in the countryside village where Aviasar was staying. It was the grand Duke, accompanied by a battalion of soldiers. They surrounded Aviasar’s house, demanding that he appear outside.
“Aviasar Ibn Crescas! Make your presence known!”
“What crime am I being arrested for?”
Aviasar stepped out of the house, blinking in the sunlight. He raised his hands, his face fearful but defiant.
“Am I a common criminal now? Has my duty to the king and the king’s noblemen been all but forgotten? Will the hands that saved so many of your people now be burned in the pyre, like the rest of my people?”
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