CHAPTER 14: THE PURIM OF ZARAGOZA – MIRACLE AND MEMORY

CHAPTER 14: THE PURIM OF ZARAGOZA – MIRACLE AND MEMORY Narrator: Ibn Gabirol (Shelomó ibn Gabirol, 1021-1058/70) Direction and Production: Javier Bona López This chapter recounts the extraordinary story of the "Purim of Zaragoza," a local miracle that saved the Jewish community from destruction on the 17th of Shevat, 1428. The narrative focuses on the betrayal of Zaim Chamí, a convert known as Marcos, who falsely accuses the Jewish leaders before the King of Aragon. Tension rises with the threat of a massacre, but divine intervention through a prophetic dream, revealed simultaneously to the sexton Efrayim Baruch and the other eleven chamases of the city's synagogues, changes the course of events. The prophet Elijah appears in their dreams, guiding a righteous man to reveal the truth to the king. The chapter details the confrontation, the community's exoneration, and the traitor's punishment. Furthermore, it explores the rich gastronomy associated with this celebration, describing emblematic dishes like "Haman's Ears," Purim bread, filled cakes, marzipan, and wine, which symbolize the joy and gratitude for their salvation. The episode concludes with the reading of the "Megillah of the Sarakustí," the scroll that immortalizes this miracle, reaffirming the resilience and faith of the Jewish people of Zaragoza. CREDITS AND SOURCES: • Narrator: Ibn Gabirol (Shelomó ibn Gabirol, 1021-1058/70) • Direction and Production: Javier Bona López • Documentation and Advising: Miguel Ángel Motis Dolader (San Jorge University of Zaragoza) • Main Sources: ◦ Asunción Blasco Martínez. La Judería de Zaragoza en el siglo XIV. (1988) ◦ Miguel Ángel Motis Dolader. La judería de Zaragoza: Centro de la vida económica y social. ◦ Motis-Dolader, M.Á., Ruiz-Varona, A., Pérez-López, L. Urban Morphology and Functional Hierarchy of the Jewish Quarter of Zaragoza. (2023) ◦ Ángel Canellas López. La Judería Zaragozana. (1974) ◦ Asunción Blasco Martínez & Susana Lozano Gracia. The Jewish Quarter of Zaragoza – Step by Step. (2023) ◦ And more sources detailed in the full script. Final Note “If you enjoyed this chapter, I invite you to share it and help spread the word. You can also listen to our other series on the medieval Jewish quarters of Calatayud, Tarazona, and Híjar on the three main podcasting platforms.” Zakhor. Remember. Shalom.