The Portal of Light by Anthony Garcia, presents a unique and intriguing insight into a world that is the subject of conjecture, misunderstanding, and a deep lack of knowledge about its existence and evolution. The old book—really a notebook—that Anthony writes about is based on a secret handwritten text from a family member with deep roots in the secret society of the Penitentes and his Crypto-Judaic ancestors. The text he writes about is a book in old, handwritten script that tells the birth story of the Emmanuel—but actually so much more.
There are five parts to the text with additional appendices. Each part presents a matrix of historical references, characters and events. Writings of Flavius Josephus, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Paulus Heredia, and of many others are woven into this tapestry of mysticism. These matrices develop into examples from the Torah, New and Old Testament, Kabbalah and the Zohar. Cross references to Ladino, Spanish, Hebrew and English are provided. It all reminded me of a painting by M.C. Escher with his impossible constructions of ascending and descending reality and transformations.
The five parts are:
Part I: A Leather Cuaderno-Notebook and a Concealed Judaic Exodus Story from the Inquisition
Part II: Historical Elements behind the Kabbalah Exodus Journey to the New Holy Land
Part III: The Mystery Play and Disclosure of the Kabbalah Concealment Techniques
Part IV: The Mystery Play: Jornado de Exódo–Journey of Exodus
Part V: Studies in Cryptic Judaism of the Ladino Play’s Author(s)
Part VI: The Cosmos Mysteries behind the Play
Part VII: Conclusion and Appendicies
This is a reading that opens doors to many portals of mysticism, spirituality and intellect. The reader must have a broad breadth of knowledge of theology, history, literature and religions to fully grasp the fullness of the book. However, it is all based on an analytical interpretation of a more basic age-old writing in archaic Ladino, Hebrew and Spanish—in prose form—much like the alabados of the Penitentes. The original writing served to teach, tell and inform a small group of believers about the journey of Emmanuel. But, Anthony interprets the meaning to the journey of the Sephardic Jews that were expelled from Spain and found their new home in a land that most replicates Jerusalem, on the 33rd latitude marker.
Anthony ends the book with moralistic messages that he interprets to be the thematic goal of the story. This should not detract from the archeological, theological or cultural value of the work. Rather, it provides an insight into what he was taught by his predecessors when teaching him the ideas—the subjects—embodied in the text.
The most intriguing aspect of The Portal of Light is how he has woven so many historical, theological and cultural pieces together to make a tapestry of many colors. This tapestry is like the vortex to a black hole of knowledge and wisdom with unending depth for investigation, thought and deep study into what was, to determine what is. The past becomes the present as it strives to become the future in the interwoven background of many cultures and religions. What does it all mean? Is there a deeper truth that is revealed? Anthony certainly believes that to be true.
This work is based on a previously unreleased, secret document that constitutes a treasured artifact of our Hispanic/Judaic people of the 33rd latitude marker. The Portal of Light is a valuable study of the hidden Hispano people of New Mexico and southern Colorado. It presents an Escherian type of intellectual insight that calls for further study and understanding. The Portal of Light provides a reading for the very people it talks about, to better understand themselves in the context of the greater society we live in. It also gives Christian and Jewish followers a new look at historical events that create deeper foundations for research and knowledge.
The work provides an excellent basis for conferences and dialogues among Christian and Jewish communities to discuss the effects of the Inquisition. Are there remaining residual impacts that are understood or suppressed that abound in today’s world from these historical events? Is there a place for insightful development of new knowledge about Crypto Jews in the world we live in today?
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