Columbus Day is traditionally celebrated in the United States to acknowledge October 12, 1492, the date Columbus arrived in the Americas. Do you know the source of inspiration behind the historic voyage of Christopher Columbus? And why it raises the question: Did the Jews discover America?
As the darkness of the Medieval Inquisition swept through Spain in 1492, Christopher Columbus embarked on an expedition that would change the world. Details of his voyage are recorded in The Book of Prophecies, a collection of his writing, spiritual insights, prophetic statements, and a passion for Israel, published in 1500
The Inquisition caused people throughout Spain and Europe to be tormented, burned at the stake, and expelled from the country. The Jewish population, which had multiplied considerably, was particularly terrorized. Jewish conversos (converts) were arrested, tortured until they confessed to being heretics, and then executed.
Jews in Spain were called Sephardim, from the Hebrew term for Spain, Sepharad (see Obadiah 20).
In the 1400s, this Sephardic community included Christopher Columbus, a man dedicated to his Christian faith. But evidence of his possible Jewish ancestry is compelling.
“The story of Jews in America begins with Christopher Columbus,” declares one Muslim source.
Several Jewish resources, including the Jewish American Hall of Fame, claim him as one of their own: “It was Spanish Jewry, not Spanish jewelry, that paid for Columbus’ voyage of discovery,” they insist.
Columbus earned the Spanish king and queen’s respect with his vision and knowledge. He raised the needed funds from Jewish conversos.
But it was a dangerous time for Jews, even favored ones. The voyage was originally scheduled for later in 1492, but an edict had been signed demanding the expulsion of all Jews by August 2, 1492.
Columbus gathered his crew, boarded his three ships, and set sail for the New World on August 3, 1492. With this action, Christopher Columbus obeyed the edict along with almost 300,000 fellow Jews.
Columbus truly believed he was on a mission from God. Repeatedly in his written logs, he dedicated his voyage to Jesus Christ. He brilliantly combined and used the practical knowledge gathered by scientists, but in the letter he drafted to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to make his appeal, he said, “I base what I say only on holy and sacred scripture.
”The Book of Prophecies displays an uncanny knowledge of prophetic events, vision for the future, foresight, a deep faith, and a mission. Columbus wanted nothing less than the universal conversion to Christ of all people.
Columbus remains a mysterious and controversial figure. I know that he has been variously described as one of the greatest mariners in history, a visionary genius, a mystic, a man of faith, a hero, a failed administrator, and a naive entrepreneur. He has also been described as a ruthless and greedy imperialist, responsible for afflicting America’s native population.
Was he Jewish? The evidence points heavily in that direction.
We do know he had a unique call on his life, which he fulfilled. Christopher Columbus’ mission, begun in the crucible of persecution, was fueled by his passion and faith.
History often leaves us inspiring, controversial, and sometimes challenging “heroes.” Great men and women with flaws and shortcomings, with a mission to fulfill. Sinners saved by grace, like us all.
