Acknowledgements
QurʾÄn 31:12 reads: âBe thankful to AllÄh, for whoever gives thanks benefits his own soul.â In similar fashion Isaiah 12:4 expresses âGive thanks unto the LORD.â From this verse of SÅ«rat LuqmÄn and from the aforementioned masoretic read is that I express my gratitude in the following lines. The former on behalf of the Moriscos. The latter, in the name of the Judeoconversos. Both, children of Abraham who were denied freedom of expression and liberty of consciousness during the chronological margins that this book occupies itself with. Hence, it is from this cognizance and faculty that I wish to thank some exceptional people who have collaborated in both the construction of this work and my academic and personal development. People I am fortunate to have in my life. Without them and their essential support I would not be writing these lines and this project could not have seen the light.
The Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies of the University of Haifa was the intellectual environment in which this project commenced. It saw its fulfillment during my doctoral studies at the Centre de Recherches Interdisciplinaires sur les Mondes Ibériques Contemporains (CRIMIC) of the Institut dâétudes ibériques et latino-américaines of Sorbonne Université. From the first institution it is my vivid desire to thank Dr. Soli Shahvar, former Director of The Ezri Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies at the University of Haifa, Israel, who has long been a friend and a source of intellectual inspiration. I am thankful for his consistent support and confidence in me, even at times when I myself lacked it. This work would have not been concluded without his counsel and encouragement. No doubt that my personal life, as well as my academic journey has expanded thanks to him. Special gratitude and appreciation also go to Mrs. Keren Santo, for her wonderful and indefatigable work. Unquestionably, a person whose support has always been granted to me and who has contributed in making the Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies of the University of Haifa an exceptional place. From the second academic establishment I especially wish to thank Professor Miguel RodrÃguez, Director of the CRIMIC and my PhD supervisor. His experience, assistance and insights have provided me with valuable elements in the continuation of my academic, professional and personal formation. I must admit, I could not have achieved what I have done without the talented and devoted staff and members of these outstanding universities, who have been fundamental to my intellectual development and academic formation. On a personal level, I am both fortunate and grateful for the steadfast support they all have provided me over the years.
My family has been an enduring source of support, encouragement, instruction and above all, love. My parents, Gerardo and Elizabeth Benzion, and brother Yitzhak, have been always eager to hear about my academic progress and strong enthusiasts of my intellectual development. They saw this project unfold over the years and across distinct geographical spaces. They have stood by me in every step I have taken along the way in all aspects of life, and have always been by my side to celebrate triumphs, to confort me through difficulties, and to encourage me in times of challenge. For all they have done for me and what they mean to me I can only say infinitas gracias mikos. To Shlomo Manor, yedÄ«d nefesh, my beloved friend, with whom my life has been blessed. I owe you more than what these words can demonstrate. Distinctive gratitude I therefore wish to express to you through these lines for your devoted and unremitting support, for your insightful advice, your immeasurable love and endless encouragement through the years. To Raoul Wilner, for his valuable contributions and his precious time. To Guadalupe Paloma GarcÃa MartÃnez, for her efficacy and cherished assistance with matters of paleography. To my wife, Yaël, to whom I owe the completion of this book. Without her love, encouragement and forbearance, the work printed on these pages could not have been achieved.
Last but not least, I want to thank the team of editors at Brill, especially Nienke Brienen-Moolenaar and Nicolette van der Hoek, for their brilliant assistance during all stages of this project, and for the special role they played in helping this work come to fruition. Their professionalism, wonderful support and guidance were invaluable to the development of this book. Additionally, I thank the copyeditors, the typesetting team, and the anonymous reviewers for their insights and constructive feedback. To you all I owe a deep gratitude. The merits of this research belong therefore to every one of you; while the inadequacies of it, are only mine.