Granada: Tragedy in Jewish History

In the 11th century, Granada, a city in southern Spain, was affectionately known as the "City of Jews" by many of its residents. Shmuel HaNagid, a renowned poet and military leader, served as the head of ministers, leading the Muslim state in Spain into a flourishing era. Following his passing, his son Yehosef took over. At just 21, he was appointed as the chief minister to King Badis, continuing to advance the kingdom and the Jewish life within it. This was indeed the Golden Age for Jews in Granada. Yet, this golden era was short-lived.

Towards the end of King Badis' reign, the king became ill and fell into bouts of drunkenness, withdrawing support from his chief minister. Court intrigues and conspiracies began to fester, with accusations circulating that Jews were controlling Muslims. Yehosef HaNagid's attempts to forge alliances to protect himself and the Jewish community did not succeed.

On Shabbat, the 9th of Tevet, 1066, an enraged mob stormed the house of Yehosef HaNagid, brutally murdering him. This act signaled the onset of a massacre against all Jews in Granada. In that single day, 1,500 Jewish families, roughly 4,000 people, were killed. Yehosef's widow and their young son, Azaria, managed to escape with assistance from local Jewish residents.

In the aftermath of these events, the condition of Jews in Granada slightly improved, but this did not last. Less than 30 years later, the Jewish quarter of Granada was destroyed once again, as Jews were accused of siding with Christians during wartime.