The Debt of Tamar by Nicole Dweck
In the year 1544, José, a young man from Portugal, finds himself swept up in the tragic events of the Portuguese Inquisition, where six Jews are sentenced to a horrific death by burning for their alleged heresy. Accompanied by his affluent aunt Doña Antonia, known for her wealth and influence, and his spirited cousin Reyna, José is deeply moved by the injustice unfolding before him. Despite his desire to intervene, Doña Antonia physically restrains him, fearing for his safety. Later, in a moment of vulnerability, she reveals a devastating family secret: they are Jewish, including José’s parents, whom he has never known. This shocking revelation shakes José to his core, igniting a passionate determination to immerse himself in the teachings and traditions of his Jewish ancestry, which had been hidden from him for so long.
As the Inquisition intensifies and their Jewish lineage is uncovered, the family faces grave danger, forcing them to flee for their lives. Their harrowing journey leads them to Istanbul, a vibrant and culturally rich city where the current Sultan offers sanctuary to Jews, allowing them the freedom to practice their faith safely. In this new and welcoming environment, José eventually marries Reyna, and they begin to build a life together.
Their daughter, Tamar, possesses a spirit as fierce as her parents, and she falls in love with the charismatic son of the Sultan. However, José struggles with the thought of Tamar marrying outside their faith, fearing the loss of their identity and traditions. In a desperate and tragic decision, he banishes her to an uninhabited land, allowing the family and community to believe that she has succumbed to a fever. This heartbreaking act casts a dark shadow over José’s lineage, placing a generational curse upon his descendants that persists for centuries, only to be revealed later when readers meet the last Sultan of Istanbul.
The intertwining stories of love, loss, and familial bonds across the generations stemming from José are captivating. Learning about the rich history of the Ottoman Empire and its role as a refuge for Jews during a time of widespread persecution is enlightening. It is a poignant reminder of how the Sultan’s generous hospitality offered hope when many other nations turned their backs. Unfortunately, it is disheartening to observe how the goodwill between these two cultures has waned in recent years, casting a long shadow over their shared history.
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