Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism during the Spanish Inquisition but secretly maintained Jewish religious practices and identity.
From Hebrew 'anusim,' plural of 'anus,' meaning 'forced' or 'compelled.' The term refers specifically to Jews coerced into Christian conversion while preserving their faith in secret.
The anusim represent a remarkable historical tragedy and resilience—thousands maintained Jewish prayer, dietary laws, and rituals in complete secrecy for generations, risking execution if discovered, and some anusim communities eventually relocated to places like Portugal and the Ottoman Empire where they could practice openly.
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