The new clandestinity .281545-1673.29 Xueta

sinagoga de livorno (built in 17th century), city of reference majorcan criptojews.

from 1640, descendants of converts began marked process of economic ascent , increasing commercial influence. previously, , exceptions, had been artisans, shopkeepers, , retail distributors, starting time, , reasons not explained, began focus on economic activity: created complex mercantile companies, participated in foreign trade, coming control, @ time of end of inquisitorial trials, 36% of total, dominated market insurance , retail commerce of imported products. otherwise, companies owned conversos, , gave part of profits works of charity in benefit of community , unlike rest of population, used give profits charity donations church.

because of intense exterior economic activity, xuetes resumed contact international communities of jews, of livorno, of rome, of marseille, , of amsterdam, through whom converts had access jewish literature. known rafel valls, known el rabí ( rabbi ) religious leader of majorcan converts, traveled alexandria , smyrna in era of sabbatai zevi, unknown whether had contact him.

an internal system of social stratification began in period, although believed remnant of jewish (pre-conversion) period. system distinguished kind of aristocracy, called orella alta (literally high ears ), rest of group, orella baixa ( low ears ). along other distinctions based on religion, professions, , parentage configured tapestry of alliances , avoidances among surnames, had great influence on endogamistic practices of period.