Aaron Bernstein - Some Jewish Witnesses For Christ

Davilla Diego Arias, minister and confident of King Henry IV. of Castile, died in 1466. He and his family became Christians when Vincent Ferrer was preaching special sermons to Jews, and it is recorded that they were generous towards the Church. His second son, Juan Arias Davilla, was Bishop of Segovia.

Delegado Gonçalo, a Portuguese convert of the sixteenth century, was a poet. One poem narrates the circumstances of an English incursion in 1596, during which the town of Faro was stormed and sacked. The poem is dedicated to Ruy Lourenzo de Tovava.

Deza, Diego de, was not himself a convert, but of Jewish descent. He was second inquisitor-general, Bishop of Salamanca, Professor of Theology there, friend and protector of Christopher Columbus, and finally Archbishop of Seville, in which city he died in 1506.

Diego de Valencia, a satirical Spanish poet in the fifteenth century, after embracing Christianity, entered the Franciscan Order, and receiving the degree of doctor of theology, was known among his contemporaries as a very learned physician, astrologer, and master of sciences ( gran letrado , fisico , astrologo é mecanico ). He was one of the leading Valencian poets, and most of his poems are contained in the "Cancionero de Baena."

Dominico Irosolimitano, born in Safed, Galilee about 1550, died in Italy about 1620. He was educated at the rabbinical college in his native city, studying not only the Talmud, but also medicine. After having obtained the degree of doctor and the title of Rab, he lectured on Talmudic law in Safed. His fame as a physician spread far and wide, so that the Sultan of Turkey summoned him to Constantinople as Court Physician. Subsequently he embraced Christianity, went to Rome, and was received at the college of the Neophytes, where he taught Hebrew. He was then employed as expurgator of Hebrew books. Dominicus was the author of a Hebrew book entitled, "Ma'ayan Gannim" (Fountain of the Gardens), on the principles of the Christian faith. He also translated into Hebrew the whole of the New Testament, and most of the Apocryphal books (1615-17). He was the compiler of the "Sefer ha Zikuk" (Book of Expurgation), still in manuscript, one copy of which (in the library of Cardinal Berberini, Rome), shews revision by him as late as 1619.

Drach David Paul Chevalier, born at Strasburg, in 1791, died in Rome. Drach was the son of a rabbi, and received a good education from his father. In 1823 he embraced Christianity together with his two daughters and his son Paul, who afterwards became a priest and a distinguished Biblical scholar. Drach senior accepted the position of librarian of the Propaganda in Rome. His principal works are the following: An edition of the "Bible de Venice," 27 volumes, with copious and learned notes, Paris, 1827, 33; "Relation de la Conversion de M. Hyacinthe (Simon) Deutz, Baptisé à Rome le 3 Février," 1826; "Précédée de Quelques Considérations sur le Retour d'Israel dans l'Eglise de Dieu," Paris, 1828; "Notice Concernant l'Origine et les Progrès de l'Hospice Apostolique de St. Michel," Rome, 1842; "De l'Harmonie Entre l'Eglise et la Synagogue, ou Perpétuité de la Foi de la Réligion Chrétienne," 2 volumes, Paris, 1844; "Lexicon Catholicum Hebraicum et Chaldaicum in V. T. Libros, hoc est Gulielmi Gesenii Lexicon Manuale Hebræo-Latinum Ordino Alphabetico Digestum," Paris, 1848; "Le Pieux Hebraisant," a work containing the principal Christian prayers, and a summary of the Catholic Catechism in Hebrew and Latin, ib. 1853; "Documents Nouveaux sur les Restes des Anciens Samaritains" (from the Annales de Philosophic Chrétienne), Nov. 1853, ib. 1854.

Eliano, Vittorio, grandson of Elijah Levita, a convert of the sixteenth century. He became priest and canon. Well versed in Hebrew literature, he was appointed censor of Hebrew books, first at Cremona, afterwards (1567), at Venice. In this capacity he permitted (1557) the publication of the "Zohar," and edited the "Tur" in 1558.

Eskelis, Denis Baron de, and his sister, Countess of Winifen, son and daughter of Freiherr Von Bernhard Eskelis, Austrian financier, who was the founder of the Austrian National Bank, embraced Christianity in the nineteenth century. Denis succeeded his father in the management of the banking-house.

Felix Pratensis, born at Prato, Italy, in the second half of the fifteenth century, died at Rome in 1539. In 1518 he embraced Christianity, then joined the Augustine Order and devoted himself to missionary work among his brethren. He had a perfect knowledge of three languages, and displayed such great fervour, though apparently with little discretion, in his sermons, that he was called "the Jews' scourge." While still a member of the synagogue, Felix published a Latin translation of the Psalms, entitled, "Psalterium ex Hebræo ad Verbum Translatum," Venice 1515. He arranged the Masorah for the "Biblia Veneta," 1518, published by his disciple Bromberg.

Ferretti Francesco Maria (Abot), whose Jewish name was Sabbathai Nahum, was a native of Ancona or had been rabbi there, for he calls himself d'Ancona. He embraced Christianity in 1734. He wrote a book entitled, "La Verita della Fede Christiana," Venice, 1741. In this book there is a prayer in Hebrew and Italian which gives us an insight into his experience and life as a seeker after the truth.

The prayer is as follows: —

"Creator of the worlds, Lord of lords! It is revealed and known before the Throne of Thy Majesty that for many years my heart is restless and my spirit is drawn hither and thither, in that the thought occurs to me to forsake the faith of my fathers and to accept the Christian faith. I do not, however, know whether this desire is good, a pure effect of the working of the Holy Spirit, which aims at my salvation, and is determined before the Throne of Thy Majesty, that Thy will and pleasure should be accomplished in this faith. It is also known unto Thee that just when I am in the synagogue or in the houses of study, and even in the highest festivals when I am engaged in prayer, the desire of acknowledging the Christian faith inflames my heart and mind to the utmost. I cannot do otherwise. I must leave my bed in the middle of the night, and with bitter tears which Thou wilt not disdain, beseech Thee, that on the ground of Thy thirteen attributes, Thou mayest deliver me from these inward vexations. Yet they become stronger and more vehement every day, so that I am powerless to overcome them, and in weariness repine. No sooner does one thought leave me than another arises; the one whispers this, the other that. I am dumb and without advice. Thou knowest also that, after I made an excursion and returned home, I felt a little easier, but these thoughts took hold of me more mightily, making me anxious with fear and dread, and giving me not a moment's rest either day or night. They pursue me while dreaming or awake, on all my ways, so that life is a misery to me. Therefore, O Lord, Thou God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who art enthroned over the Cherubim, hear me! O Lord, hearken unto me! Here I am, here I am! Behold, in fasting and in prayer I supplicate Thy lovingkindness and grace, that Thou mayest graciously incline to me from Thy throne of glory and grant my request. O, my God, teach me to pray humbly and acceptably. Give me a new and pure heart, and renew my spirit, that I may be enabled to understand the inward emotions and to perceive the truth. Save me from this tribulation, and lead me in the right way. If it is determined before the Throne of Thy Majesty that I should accept the Christian faith, because it is good, holy, and acceptable to Thee; O, so may it please Thee that I should walk about in peace, and not depart from Thy way and will. All things come from Thee, and Thou hast dominion over all, and Thou enlightenest the eyes of those who love Thee, and Thou accomplishest that which is in accordance with Thy counsel. When after this month is passed, these spiritual emotions do not cease, then I will in truth acknowledge that Thou alone from Thy dwelling place in heaven hast wrought this restlessness in me, in order to lead me to my soul's salvation. So take hold of me with Thy right hand, bring my soul near to redemption, and save me from mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Praised be Thou, O Lord. Teach me Thy statutes. Praised be Thou who hearest prayer. Amen."