January 6, 2025

My mom is getting ready to teach a course on the Crypto Jews of Portugal. She recently shared with me some of the creative ways that the Crypto Jews lit Shabbat candles without arousing the suspicions of their Christian neighbours or, worse, the local Inquisition authorities. Sometimes they would enter a Catholic church on Friday evening and light candles there.  When asked for which saint they were lighting, the response would be, “Ah, there are so many saints. Too many to count.” Other times, they would feign illness and take to their beds on Friday nights with two candles lit next to them. 

In contrast, we take pride in lighting the Chanukah menorah in our windows, publicizing not only the miracle of Chanukah but the fact that a Jewish family lives in that home. A few nights ago, on the last night of Chanukah, I had a tiny taste of the alternative. We were traveling overseas and had purposely planned the flight with a long enough layover to enable us to light a menorah at the airport. We brought with us a disposable menorah and the smallest candles that were still halachically legal to light; they would burn for the requisite 30 minutes and go out shortly thereafter.

In the United Airlines lounge, we asked if there was a private room we could use.  Not wanted to call attention to the fact that we were Jewish, we didn’t mention the candles. Just a private space.  Let them assume we have a meeting.  We were given a small room with a table and glass wall. We could be seen through the glass by anyone walking past. We made the blessings, lit the candles (putting out the match in a glass of water we’d brought for safety), sang Maoz Tzur, and settled down for a 30-40 minute wait.

It was really quite lovely for the first 33 minutes or so. When the candles were almost out, though, a lounge employee suddenly appeared and told us quite aggressively that we had to put out the candles immediately. Immediately.  She went on to accuse us of having been told already by another gentleman that this was against the rules (The gentleman later apologized to us because he had gotten us mixed up with another Jewish couple who had indeed asked and were denied permission. I guess we all look alike.)

I’ve never blown outa menorah candle before. but that’s exactly what we did. It felt awful. And the image of the Crypto Jews was in my head.  Let us always appreciate that we are able to live openly as Jews, to proudly display Chanukah candles in the window, and to light Shabbat candles without having to make excuses. Let us never have to live Jewishly in secret.

Am Yisrael Chai!