L'dor V'dor: An Odyssey

[Gog (♀)]

L'dor V'dor
An Odyssey​

1558

Belvedere Castle, Kostantiniyye‎


Gracia Nasi tapped her fingers on the desk as she waited for her partner and son-in-law to enter. Joseph had been visiting the Crown Prince at the palace, likely discussing affairs of state and perhaps the latest exotic item to come from the far east. Joseph was the one who was more gregarious and suited to schmoozing nobility, especially the Crown Prince. Gracia was the diligent businesswoman who focused on the accounts and debts. Besides, she felt more at home in the company of Jews than gentiles. Here she sat in the map room, which was well stocked with cartography of every location that had been seen by European eye, from China to Mexico. The centerpiece was a large Spanish map of the entire world, especially the newly discovered lands in the West Indies.

Gracia pondered the West Indies in particular. She had read of the new continent, and talked with those who had been there. It was supposedly a virgin world, one of ignorant natives who lived in simple tribes and bountiful land. At least, it was until the Spaniards drenched the continent in blood. Now thousands lay under the whip of Christendom from the plantations of the Caribbean to silver mines of Peru. They also brought the stake and rack for the Jews that dared to escape their torment in Europe. Despite that, Gracia had heard that there were whole lands inhabited almost entirely by Anusim and Meshumad, living oblivious of their neighbor’s nature.

Gracia was examining these Indies when Joseph came in, later than he should have been. “Sorry, Selim didn't let me go ‘till I ran out,” he said with a chuckle. “What was it you wanted to discuss? Was it our ventures in Tiberias and Safed, no?” Joseph was a great friend of Crown Prince Selim and had accrued many a sweet deal for the Nasi house in both the realms of banking and commerce from this relationship.

“Yes, that’s it, I have been having some serious misgivings about the settlement project,” she replied with a sigh. “I believe that it may be doomed, for more than one reason.” For the past few months, Gracia and Joseph were attempting to secure Joseph's lordship over the city, although in ruins, and the surroundings. From this they would restore the land and attract fellow Jews to settle and restore the Jewish population of the holy land.

Joseph looked confused, with an uncharacteristic frown on his face. “Why is that? We’ve worked so far to ensure its success and we must work further to do so. It's only the start of our efforts, and although negotiations with the local sheikhs have been tough, they cannot overrule the Crown Prince. Admitting failure would harden their resolve.”

“I’m not admitting failure, just changing the plan. As of now, the holy land will be out of the reach of the Jews until G-d wills it so. We were not dispersed among the nations of the world for no reason. One day the Turks will take our land and disperse us just as the Christians before them, just as the Romans before them, just as the Greeks before them, and just like the Babylonians before them. From generation to generation we are put to the sword and exiled.”

A long pause consisting of hard stares occurred on both sides. Finally, Joseph broke the silence. “Suppose you are correct. What then could we do safeguard our people? To save us from the ravages of the gentile kingdoms?”

“We must turn to methods that have not been tried before. I have formulated an idea.” With this Gracia stood up, walked up to a map of the West Indies, and jabbed a finger at a large shape of land marked “Francesca.” “We must go to the land that G-d has shown us. A new land of milk and honey.”

 

[Gog (♀)]

Belvedere Castle, Kostantiniyye‎

The Castle was flooded with people on the 16th of March. The Nasi house was the most famous and well regarded Jewish family in all of Europe, and as such when they called the most important secular and religious leaders of the Jewish world, from Holland to Mashhad, for a conference of special urgency, they came, although it took some time for the most far off to arrive.

Of the most important were the Chief Rabbis, or representatives of them, and the court Jews of particular notability. Both of these commanded the respect of their communities. After greeting the many visitors, the Nasi family sat down at the head of the table large table they provided, alongside the Chief Rabbi of the Turkish Empire, who also commanded the respect of the Empire’s Jewry. This man, one Eliyyah ben Hayyim of Kostantiniyye‎, sat on the Sultan’s Imperial Council and was a good friend of the Nasi family.

“Please, settle down,” spoke Gracia sternly. The room began to quiet. Gracia spoke in Ladino, although she had a translator who could repeat these words in Yiddish, as most Ashekenazi did not know the Ladino tongue. “Before we commence with our business, we first should pray to G-d for its success, for without Him we would not be able to undertake such an mission.” The people in the room began a short prayer that was standard for most occasions before an important endeavor. The diversity of languages spoken then in the room made one wonder if these people all could be so entwined in one community.

After the prayer, Gracia offered up a prayer for the Imperial Government and the Sultan’s and the Crown Prince’s general welfare. When that was concluded, she turned to the purpose of the conference. “We stand here today in jovial spirit, as we are together with our fellow Jews, scattered across the globe. A mere fraction, as well, for we were incapable of inviting those from the East and West Indies and Ethiopia. This goes to highlight our fragmented nature as of late. 60 years ago, over 200,000 souls were convulsed by the evil edict of the Spanish crown-” It was at the very reference to the Alhambra Decree that some of the Sephardis made a great deal of noise, similar to what is done when the Vizier Haman is mentioned in the Tanakh.

After waiting for the noise to subsist, Gracia continued. “Over 100,000 Jews fled Spain, and thousands more were forced to convert or die. This cycle has been repeated across our history. Eight years ago Jews were banished from Genova, and but a year ago they were forced from Prague. In some lands where we are still allowed to live, we are penned up in ghettos unable to leave or interact with non-Jews. In essence, imprisoned. It seems as though we are in an eternal cycle of retreat and persecution, forced to prostrate ourselves before foreign kings and princes to simply survive.” Gracia’s words were met with begrudging agreement, as many, if not all, in the room had experienced persecution at the hands of gentiles.

“Therefore what I am proposing today aims to remedy this, and see the gift that G-d has placed before us, in his wish to honor His covenant with us.” Gracia nodded and a servant brought out a large map of the West Indies and American continent on a trolley. “This is what He has shown us, and for a clear reason. We are to make use of this new land for a new country, a new Israel. While the Christians rush to the Indies for gold, slaves, and ‘G-d,’ as the Canaanites did to the old land of Israel, we are instructed to leave this hemisphere of Egypts and Pharaohs, to this new land.”

At this the room descended into a mild uproar, as people voiced their support or discontent for a few moments before Joseph silenced them with a shout. “I can alleviate the worst of your fears on how this can be accomplished. I believe that with the recent victories against the Christians in the Mediterranean, I can persuade the Sultan and his court to establish Turkish possessions in the West Indies. He would look favorably upon being able to interdict the transfer of Spanish silver and gold, which would aid his efforts in destroying Christian rule of the Mediterranean. I can then assure the governance of such a American possession being under a pious Jew. From there we can establish a presence distant from the Spanish and Portuguese crown and unknown to them. At first we will mainly be looking for farmers and other such laborers to create a foundation for the enterprise. If any of you have any vital concerns we can address them.”

Out of the ensemble of voices attempting to get louder than each other, one stood out more than the rest for certain. A older looking man asked, “How will we provide for the defense of this land when so few of us here are allowed in the militaries of gentile nations?” This query raised some serious concerns, as even the Sultan of the Turks was wary about Jewish officers in his forces. Many then echoed this man’s question before another came up for a response, identifying himself as the Rabbi of Tunis. “I say that there is one among us who outmatches any gentile in marital ability! One who has bested their forces many times over!”

This man was then questioned by Joseph. “And who might be this man?” The rabbi replied, “The great and renowned Captain Sinan!”

 

[Gog (♀)]

İzmir

Captain Sinan, commander of dozens of galleys, lord of great wealth, and fear incarnate for every God fearing Christian that passed the Pillars of Hercules, sat at the head of his table, twirling his knife in one hand, and holding an apple in the other. After his informal retirement a number of years earlier, the old captain had mainly received visitors in the form of young, hotshot corsairs who sought funding for their own ventures in the Mare Nostrum. There was also the constant news of his own son’s path of destruction through the sea, a thought which brought a tear to the old Jew’s eye.

Now, Sinan lived in his grand estate in İzmir, his home on land for decades, and ever since his retirement, his real home. Thinking back on his sea days, Sinan couldn't help but miss the plundering of cities, the crack of cannon fire, the smell of the salt. Now he enjoyed the fruits of his labor, but what use was life without adventure? The great captain sighed.

He looked over towards the entrance to his home. Today, he welcomed the great patrons and bankers of the Nasi, who likely wished for his influence for some protection with the corsairs. Nothing really interesting, Sinan thought as he dove his knife into the apple, taking out a few slices to chomp on. Bankers were always very dull, and Sinan always expressed this when speaking to them.

Of course he knew of the place Jews had as lenders, but what use was a making gold off of loans and interest when you could ransack a port or seize the stores of an “unfortunate” merchant? Things would be better for the people had they taken up the sword and galley instead of the pen and ledger. For one, he might not have been forced from his home with his family, pushed onto a crowded ship, and dropped off in a foreign land speaking a language he could not understand

Just as he was contemplating these thoughts, his servants told him of the Nasi’s arrival, and Sinan just shrugged as they walked towards him sitting at the enormously long table.

“Greetings, great captain Sinan,” the taller one said and they both took off their caps. Sinan just stared at them and continued to eat his apple. The two men then sat down at the table, out of deference, on the other side. “We come to you with a proposition-” Sinan began to tune out, he’d heard enough “propositions” to fill several lifetimes and change.

He remained expressionless and soon he’d finished his apple, whose core he threw at the corner. Sinan even yawned and shifted in his seat. He could hear the two men talk softly between themselves, “Joseph, do you think he is even listening? The man is rather old after all.”

Sinan decided to make this a much shorter meeting than the two men would have predicted. “I’m not senile yet, boys, if you’ve got a summary of your speech than I’d like to hear it though. I am a busy man.” Sinan wasn’t actually busy though, but of course they didn’t know that.

“Well, great captain, we are in the process of acquiring a charter from the Sultan for this land in the West Indies.” The taller man motioned to his companion and he produced a pocket sized copy of a map and walked over to Sinan to give it to him. Sinan scrutinized the image, which seemed to be a rough map of the northern coast of the continent of America. Sinan had never been to the West Indies, but he’d been quite acquainted with the East Indies in the war he’d fought against the Portuguese there. He ventured that they could not be radically different from each other, and he had possessed Mexican and Incan gold a number of times from plundered ships.

“And, what exactly do I have to do with this? Surely you have the funds necessary to carry out this expedition?” Sinan did not expect the wealthy Nasis to need money from him, as they were probably one of if not the biggest banking house in Europe.

“Why, we wish to enlist your protection of the venture,” the tall man said. “We hope to create a Jewish colony in this land, and where better to find protection from the Spaniards than the great Jewish pirate?” The taller man looked nervously at Sinan as he pondered the idea.

Sinan did not need to think long however. Too long he’d spent counting his gold from the adventures he’d had and collecting tribute from those still terrified of his wrath. Now, he needed to go. It was not long ago that he had hit sixty, and God would not give him many more years to live on this earth. He thought of the death of his friend, good old Barbarossa, who he had watched pass right before his eyes over a decade ago. He wouldn’t let death claim him that easily.

“Boys, I never thought you’d ask.” Sinan rose to his feet and walked over to the men, patting one of them hard on the back. “I’ll help you, it's been too many years since I’ve plunged a blade into a Spaniard chest anyway.” Pointing his hand towards a window and the docks of İzmir, Sinan shouted, “To the sea!”

 

[Gog (♀)]

Topkapi Palace, Kostantiniyye‎

In one of the great meeting chambers of Topkapi Palace, several figures gathered to speak. Gracia and Joseph Nasi came with Captain Sinan, who Gracia found to be an interesting, if rough, character. They were due to first meet with Kapudan Pasha Piyale of the Ottoman Fleet and Grand Vizer Rüstem, and convince them of the utility of the West Indies possession. Then, they would depart and discuss this with Sultan Süleyman and the Crown Prince Selim, a good friend of Joseph. After conferring with the two, the Sultan and Crown Prince would meet with Joseph and Gracia to hear their formal petition and decide.

When Gracia told Sinan of this, he appeared frustrated. “If you are such great friends with the Crown Prince, why not simply meet with him and cut out these middlemen?”

“Convincing the Crown Prince is not convincing the Sultan,” Gracia tried to explain. “The Sultan would prefer to hear the advice of his admiral and Grand Vizer as well. The more people we convince, the easier the task becomes.”

Soon after, the Kapudan Pasha and Grand Vizer arrived with their adjuncts and Gracia, Joseph, and Sinan greeted them. Sitting down, they delivered their pitch. “Now, we wish to speak of the new world,” Joseph began, “I, and many illustrious individuals of the Empire have drafted a petition for a colonial charter in the Americas that we wish for the Imperial Government to grant. We believe that a strong base for this plan exists in the displaced Spanish Jews who we can ensure emigration and financial backing to sustain such a venture.” Clearing his throat, Joseph motioned for a servant to bring in a map of the known parts of the West Indies. “We can bring in great revenue for the Empire in the various goods of mainland Northern America and interdict the trade that the Spanish and Portuguese conduct with their possessions. Captain Sinan, can you elaborate on this?"

Sinan stood up eagerly from his chair and quickly began pointing at various bays, inlets, and small islands in the sea known as the Caribbean. “As you can see there are many advantageous places in the Caribbean that were hardly seen by a Spaniard, let alone fortified and settled. If we were to take a force of corsairs and break out of the straits, we could establish ourselves in many such places. These groups could act completely self-sufficient of our supply lines, live off the land and plundered ships, severely harm Spanish and Portuguese commerce, and replenish their ranks through natives and slaves freed. I can ensure the manpower for some of the backing, but given the blue water craft necessary,” Sinan gestured towards Piyale, “I will require aid from the Admiralty.”

Piyale and Rüstem considered this, and inquired upon the details. “And if such a colony would be established,” Piyale asked, “How could we provide for its security against Spanish Mexico?"

Gracia stepped forward this time. “We do not expect to set the colony very close to Mexico, but not extremely far either. The lands explored by Giovanni da Verrazzano should prove most fruitful, as he found temperate lands filled with strategic bays in which ships could harbor. We expect to bring in many colonists from the Empire proper and North Africa, as many Jews that we have discussed this with have said that their communities would be willing to go, and train them in a militia alongside a small contingent of Turkish troops. From this and some Captain Sinan’s ships stationed for permanent protection, the colony should be safe. We also do not plan on antagonizing the natives, and avoid the mistakes of the Spaniard.”

After this lengthy explanation, Gracia sat back down. Piyale and Rüstem had of course been well introduced before with Gracia, but the adjuncts had not, and appeared quite surprised, even if decorum forbid them from making any vocal objections. A woman giving military advice in the Empire was unusual to say the least, but Garcia was no usual woman. Finally, Rüstem spoke. “And of these Jews, can you guarantee their loyalty to the Sultan?” The question was simple, and reasonable from his perspective, but it did strike home the fact that despite the allegiance of Jews to the Sultan, they were not always viewed as equal to a Turk.

Joseph responded to this question. “As a humble servant of the Sultan, having been given the pleasure of acting as his emissary in many occasions, I will ensure that this colony is given only the best of the Empire’s subjects. I hope my word can assuage your concerns.” Joseph turned a weary eye towards Gracia after he said this.

Both Piyale and Rüstem appeared satisfied and they left the room to speak with the Sultan and Crown Prince. Sinan was then asked to leave so they could formally introduce the petition, which he did reluctantly. The two waited for some time before finally, the doors opened, and as various attendants filed in, the Crown Prince Selim came forth.

“Joseph! It has been some time, no?” Selim came to Joseph and gave him a hearty hug. The two men had been fast friends since the Nasi house’s arrival in Turkey and time had only strengthened their friendship. Of course, he had ignored Gracia, although after a moment of catching up, he turned and greeted her. “So,” Selim began, “I have heard much of your plan.” Joseph was about to deliver his pitch when Selim stopped him. “There’s no need. I love it! I think we could gain so much and enrich the Empire greatly. I need only convince the Sultan further, which I believe we can accomplish together.”

While they spoke, Gracia watched and was interrupted by an attendant of Selim’s. “In proper deference with the court customs and to the Sultan, it would be best if you left the room before the Sultan were to arrive.”

Gracia appeared stoic. “If the Sultan wishes for me to leave his presence, I think he shall make it known.” Gracia knew that schmoozing and grovelling was not her strong suit, but she wanted to see this to its completion. She saw that both the Crown Prince and the Sultan were unlikely to engage her as an equal on this, but that was the price of being a woman.

Gracia continued to observe the jovial conversation between Selim and Joseph, when finally the Sultan arrived. Both Joseph and Gracia made the necessary deferential gestures and they began to speak. Joseph made his pitch, mostly the same as the one he had given before. After finishing, the Sultan waited a moment and replied.

“I have heard much of this plan,” the Sultan began, “It could have great rewards for the Empire, but I see great risks as well. This would be a large investment, and I do not take it lightly. Therefore, having heard all of what you have said and realizing the support for it. I shall consider it, and relay back to you my final decision. Good to see you both.” The Sultan then left the room.

“I have tried my best, but I’m sure you have as well,” Selim said to the Nasis. “We shall wait for his opinion, and hope it shall come soon and favorably.” Joseph and Gracia nodded, and left the room. Gracia believed he would agree, and, sure enough, one week later Joseph came to her with good news.

 

[Gog (♀)]

1559
Belvedere Castle, Kostantiniyye‎

Gracia Nasi looked beyond the balcony to see the flotilla leaving Kostantiniyye‎’s port. There were over a hundred ships, a litany of galleys, galiots, galleasses, carracks, carvels, and galleons flying the naval ensign of Sultan Suleiman. She could even see some the galleys flying the personal flag of Captain Sinan too, a six pointed star commonly referred to as the Seal of Solomon. It provided an extra touch of Jewish pride to an expedition Gracia was worried was veering away from its original goal.

While the Grand Vizer and Kapudan Pasha had affixed their seals of approval on the expedition to the West Indies, they had made it clear that the value of this mission was its military applications more than any potential Jewish settlement. Captain Sinan was given a large number of galleys along with the forces to man them, bolstered by one of the Kapudan Pasha’s own lieutenants, Captain Ali, who seemed more interested in plundering Spanish gold and silver than protecting a Jewish settlement.

The Imperial Government seemed markedly less interested in helping the Nasis acquire the settlers they desired for the mission. They were forced to rely on their own funds, which while extensive, were increasingly strained by the cost of recruiting and outfitting the expedition. In addition, while many of the Jews in Salonika, Kostantiniyye‎, and Izmir were supportive of the expedition, far fewer than expected volunteered for the long voyage. Only 1,500 Jews of the Turkish Empire agreed to join after months of effort.

The lucky break came when Joseph had successfully negotiated with the authorities in the Italian cities of Campagna, Pesaro, Ferrara and Florence to allow Jews to resettle and leave their lands. Joseph had to pay ransoms in many cases, and in others Gracia activated her networks to smuggle whole families into Kostantiniyye‎. Subtlety was of utmost importance, as if the Spaniards were to catch word of a Jewish-Turkish expedition west, any chance of getting through the Straits of Gibraltar unharmed would be lost.

In the end it had taken even further months, but the Italian refugees had been gathered and informed of the expedition. Some had opted to stay in Turkish lands, but many more decided to join the expedition, less sure of their place in an empire ruled by gentiles. 4,000 Jews ended up embarking on their voyage today, many of them farmers, fishermen, craftsmen, merchants, and their family members. To Gracia’s concern, they were significantly outnumbered by nearly 7,000 soldiers, sailors, and corsairs, mainly of Turkish, Arab and Berber extraction with far fewer of Captain Sinan’s Jewish crew aboard than she would have liked.

Still, they might pick up some more Jews on the way to further increase their numbers. Her nephew Samuel would help ensure the Nasi family would be represented in the new colony and help them keep informed the best he could, and Joseph had managed to get his trusted friend Joseph ben Aderet appointed ‘Governor of the West Indies’ by the Grand Vizier. Ben Aderet was a competent and able bureaucrat, exactly what they needed to get a colony off the ground, and provide the foundation for future expeditions.

As Gracia watched the flotilla depart across the Marmara Sea, she was approached by Joseph, seeming unusually sullen. “Do you think we made the right choice? Such an expedition has never been tried in our history, and if it fails, we will be dooming thousands.”

Gracia considered his words for a moment before responding. “We have been running and hiding for 1,400 years, always ending up slaughtered or exiled no matter where we went. It’s time we go to a place where we can build, grow, and make a new city for ourselves. Where future generations can live without fear of a gentile's sword.”

She gazed out to sea once more. “And one day, return to what was promised.”