Philosophy & Scholarship : Thinkers like Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon)  and Hasdai Crescas  shaped Jewish philosophy and influenced broader medieval thought. Their works engaged with Aristotelian philosophy, theology, and ethics, bridging Jewish and Islamic intellectual traditions. Poetry & Literature : Jewish poets such as Judah Halevi  wrote deeply spiritual and philosophical works, blending Hebrew poetry with Arabic styles. This period saw Hebrew literature flourish alongs

Late 14th century  – Anti-Jewish riots and forced conversions spread across Spain, creating a large population of conversos  (Jews who converted to Christianity, often under duress). 1478  – Ferdinand and Isabella establish the Spanish Inquisition  to investigate conversos suspected of secretly practicing Judaism. 1481  – The first inquisitorial trials begin in Seville, with executions of alleged heretics. 1492  – The Alhambra Decree  orders all Jews to either convert to Chri

The Jewish people in Spain faced severe persecution during the Inquisition, which ultimately led to their expulsion in 1492. The Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478 by Ferdinand and Isabella, was initially aimed at ensuring religious conformity among converted Jews (known as conversos  or New Christians ) who were suspected of secretly practicing Judaism. Under the leadership of figures like Tomás de Torquemada, thousands of conversos were investigated, tortured, and exe

Conversos were Jews in medieval Spain and Portugal who converted to Christianity—often under duress—during periods of intense persecution, especially in the 14th and 15th centuries. The term Converso  refers to Jews who, facing violent pogroms and increasing pressure from Christian authorities, converted to Catholicism to avoid expulsion or death. The most significant wave of conversions occurred after the anti-Jewish riots of 1391 and culminated with the Alhambra Decree of 1