Return of a Lost Soul

I had to attend an event in Manhattan, and to avoid rush-hour traffic, I drove into the city a few hours ahead. I stopped off to purchase some stationery products at a small store.

I was pondering my annual Tishah B’Av lecture. This year, I would be speaking about Conversos — those Jews who practiced their Judaism secretly during the Spanish Inquisition. Many, of course, would eventually flee Spain, especially during its colonization of the Americas. I would focus on the inspiring mesirus nefesh of these Jews.

I entered the establishment, and a Hispanic-looking man who introduced himself as Manuel asked how he could help. I mentioned the product I was looking for.

Manuel said, “I won’t sell you that product. The owner is a known anti-Semite.”