In the 1830s, a family in Tangier, Morocco, that traced its roots to the 1492 Spanish expulsion drew unwanted fame
Information is received this afternoon of a Jewess named Sol Hatchwell only between fourteen and fifteen years old, having been beheaded at Faz by order of the Sultan under the judgment of the Oolamma, for having abrogated Islamism after her recently renegading from the Faith of her father.… It is said, the sheik of the Jews urged her not to desert her ancient Faith and to be persuaded, that all which was threatened was done only to frighten her, for that, if she saw the knife at her throat, she might be sure she would be pardoned.
—Edward William Auriol Drummond Hay, British Consul to Morocco
IN the 1830s, a family in Tangier, Morocco, that traced its roots to the 1492 Spanish expulsion drew unwanted fame. Chaim Hatchouel, a respected talmid chacham and merchant, together with his wife Simcha, raised their children Yissachar and Solica to be G-d-fearing Jews in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. The Torah classes Chaim conducted at home imbued his young daughter with a strong sense of identity and faith that would prove decisive as events unfolded.
When Solica was 17 and still living a sheltered existence in her parents’ care, she was falsely accused by a Muslim neighbor of having converted to Islam, and then reneging. Such a crime was punishable by death under Islamic law, and she was duly arrested and thrown into a dungeon by the local pasha. Initially, they attempted to entice her with honor, riches, and status should she agree to adopt Islam. When she categorically refused, the governor delivered an ultimatum:
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