Luis de Torres is a secret Jew. When the Inquisition comes, Luis joins a sailing expedition to explore new worlds with only his faith, his wits, and a silver hamsa for protection. Could it be that Jewish tradition helped protect the ship?
Luis de Torres is a secret Jew, a Catholic convert, who, in his heart, remains Jewish. When it is decreed, during the Inquisition, that Jews must leave Spain, Luis decides to join the crew of a ship headed for the Far East, where he will start a new life and live freely as a Jew. His nephew gives him a small, silver hamsa to protect him on his journey. The day they are set to sail falls on Tisha B’Av. It would be bad luck to set sail on this day, but the ship’s commander refuses to wait. A storm changes their plans, but could it be that it was Jewish tradition helped protect the ship?
