A leading Israeli rabbinical authority has officially recognized as Jewish the small Chueta community on Spain's island of Majorca, six centuries after their ancestors were forced to convert to Roman Catholicism.
The Chuetas are the descendants of Mallorca’s Jews, who were forcibly baptized in the 14th and 15th centuries and then barred from intermarrying or assimilating with the island’s Catholic population until the modern era.
The clear and unequivocal recognition was issued by Rabbi Nissim Karelitz, the head of the Beit Din Tzedek , a High Rabbinical Court, in the Israeli city of Bnei Brak, who is considered to be one of Israel’s foremost arbiters of Jewish law.
It came after years of campaigning by Shavei Israel, an Israeli organization that seeks to strengthen ties with the descendants of Jews around the world..
In his written opinion, Rabbi Karelitz stated that, “Since it has become clear that it is accepted among them (the Chuetas) that throughout the generations most of them married among themselves, then all those who are related to the former generations are Jews, from our brethren the children of Israel, the nation of G-d.”
Rabbi Karelitz further wrote that efforts should be made to draw the Chuetas closer to their Jewish religious heritage and that they should be encouraged to embrace a life of Torah and observance of the Mitzvot (Commandments).
"This is an historic development," Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund told Spanish journalists in Palma de Majorca.
"This ruling removes any doubts or questions that may have existed regarding their status. The Chuetas are now considered to be full-fledged members of the Jewish people. Rabbi Karelitz’s decision will pave the way for many of them to return to their roots nearly six centuries after their ancestors were torn away from us against their will."
"The Chuetas no longer need to live in between worlds -- we have succeeded in opening the door for them to come home. And I hope and pray that many will do so."
It should be noted that Rabbi Karelitz’s ruling relates to those Chuetas whose ancestors practiced strict endogamy down through the generations and did not intermarry. In order for their return to the Jewish people to be complete, it will be necessary for the Rabbinical Court to get to know each individual Chueta and their personal and family background.
Between 15,000 and 20,000 Chuetas live on Majorca at present, though the organisation said many had married outside of the community.
Shavei Israel maintains an emissary in Palma de Mallorca who carries out various educational and cultural activities among the Chuetas.