The Converted Jews Who Played Their Part in Europe's Love of Tobacco

Columbus’ interpreter Luis de Torres knew Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, French, Spanish and Portuguese. He also shmoozed with the natives about that strange plant

Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot

and

Ushi Derman

Mar 17, 2018 12:46 AM

Does the anti-Semitic stereotype about the Jews as the contaminators of humanity originate with Jewish interpreter Luis de Torres, who is largely responsible for the arrival of cigarettes in Europe? No, it...

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