Astruc Remoch
Encyclopedia
Astruc Remoch was a Jewish
convert to Catholicism
who made his mark in history by attempting the conversion of other Jews during the 14th century.
Remoch was a medical doctor in Fraga
, Spain
in the 14th century. He had contact with prominent Jews of his day, such as Benveniste ibn Labi of Zaragoza
.
In 1391, Astruc Remoch was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church
, taking the name Francisco Dias-Carni. Following his conversion, Remoch's belief in the Catholic doctrine of Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus
was so strong that he endangered his old Jewish friend En-Shealtiel Bonfos, (probably a son of the physician Isaac Bonfos born Shealtiel of Falces), in his efforts to get Bonfos to convert as well.
Remoch (Francisco) wrote a letter to his friend in Hebrew, critical of Judaism and supportive of the beliefs of Christianity. In response, Remoch received two letters. Bonfos composed a careful response to what was a very delicate topic during the Inquisition, avoiding any statements that the Church might find offensive.
The satirical poet Solomon ben Reuben Bonfed
wrote his own much less careful reply to Remoch's arguments in a rhyming prose that attacked each of Remoch's arguments.
Solomon first apologizes for his interference in matters that are none of his business, then insists that as a Jew he cannot remain silent amidst the argument, and continues to argue that the Christian belief system was unsupportable, stating, "You twist and distort the Bible text to establish the Trinity."
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
convert to Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
who made his mark in history by attempting the conversion of other Jews during the 14th century.
Remoch was a medical doctor in Fraga
Fraga
Fraga is the major town of the comarca of Bajo Cinca in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain. It is located by the river Cinca.King Alfonso I of Aragon died at its walls in 1134 while trying to conquer it...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in the 14th century. He had contact with prominent Jews of his day, such as Benveniste ibn Labi of Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Zaragoza , also called Saragossa in English, is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain...
.
In 1391, Astruc Remoch was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, taking the name Francisco Dias-Carni. Following his conversion, Remoch's belief in the Catholic doctrine of Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus
Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus
The Latin phrase Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus means: "Outside the Church there is no salvation". The most recent Catholic Catechism interpreted this to mean that "all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body."...
was so strong that he endangered his old Jewish friend En-Shealtiel Bonfos, (probably a son of the physician Isaac Bonfos born Shealtiel of Falces), in his efforts to get Bonfos to convert as well.
Remoch (Francisco) wrote a letter to his friend in Hebrew, critical of Judaism and supportive of the beliefs of Christianity. In response, Remoch received two letters. Bonfos composed a careful response to what was a very delicate topic during the Inquisition, avoiding any statements that the Church might find offensive.
The satirical poet Solomon ben Reuben Bonfed
Solomon ben Reuben Bonfed
Solomon ben Reuben Bonfed was a Spanish rabbi and poet who lived in Zaragoza.His diwan, still extant in manuscript Solomon ben Reuben Bonfed (late 14th-century-early 15th century) was a Spanish rabbi and poet who lived in Zaragoza.His diwan, still extant in manuscript Solomon ben Reuben Bonfed...
wrote his own much less careful reply to Remoch's arguments in a rhyming prose that attacked each of Remoch's arguments.
Solomon first apologizes for his interference in matters that are none of his business, then insists that as a Jew he cannot remain silent amidst the argument, and continues to argue that the Christian belief system was unsupportable, stating, "You twist and distort the Bible text to establish the Trinity."