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 1492, which...

Sephardic music, rooted in the traditions of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, is a rich and evocative blend of cultural influences that span centuries and continents. After the expulsion from Spain in 1492, Sephardic Jews carried their musical heritage to regions like North Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East, where it absorbed elements from local cultures. Characterized by its use of Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) lyrics, Sephardic music often features haunting melodies, intricate rhythms, and...

Each of the four plants— etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), hadassim (myrtle), and aravot (willow) —represents different aspects of the...