Sefer Hamiloth [Milah Book] by Manoach Chaim ben Baruch Me-Ha’har (Tranquillo de Benedetto del Monte)

Contains an important, hitherto unknown historical account of a forced baptism and conversion which occurred in 1792 (pp.36r-38r). Del Monte, mohel and scribe was a well known communal leader from a prominent family in Rome. He played a central role in the community serving as Parnass for many years. His sister Anna del Monte is celebrated for her diary kept while incarcerated in a Roman prison. (See G. Sermonetta, Ratto della Signora Anna del Monte trattenuta a’Catecumini Tredici giorni dalli 6 fino alli 19 maggio anno 1749. Roma, Carucci Editore, 1989). In 1783 Tranquillo de Benedetto del Monte represented the Jewish community in audience with the Pope concerning migration of members of the community to England. (See J. Bauer, “Un Document sur les Juifs de Rome” in: Revue des Etudes Juives, 1906, pp. 137-149 and C. Roth, The Forced Baptism of 1783 at Rome and the Community of London, JQR, XVI (1925-26), pp. 105-116). In the present manuscript in a lengthy five page description, del Monte relates that he was informed of the incarceration of a pregnant Jewish woman (Grazia Sereni) in the Casa dei Catecumeni for twelve days, based upon the testimony of five Gentiles that she had expressed willingness to convert to Christianity but later reneged. The Church subsequently allowed her to return to the ghetto, however insisted that her unborn child, must undergo baptism upon birth, as the mother can not disavow for the child. Del Monte appealed this decision and when the child was born, he performed the circumcision. The child was named Manoach Yeshaya Shmuel in honor of del Monte and his two assistants. Sadly, the author states, the mother subsequently changed her mind and underwent conversion together with her three children. However the child that “I circumcised” died three days later, “May God have mercy upon him and give him a portion in the World to Come.” See also C. Roth “Forced Baptisms in Italy, A Contribution to the History of Jewish Persecution” in: Gleanings (1967) pp. 240-263