Astruc Remoch
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Astruc Remoch (sometimes spelled Raimuch) was an apostate Jew that made his mark in history by attempting the conversion of other Jews in the 1300s during the Inquisition.
Remoch was an Orthodox Jewish medical doctor in Fraga, Spain in the 14th century. He is known to have been very strong in his Jewish beliefs, and had contact with prominent Jews of his day, such as Benveniste ibn Labi of Saragossa.
In 1391, Remoch embraced Catholicism. He renounced Judaism, and took the Spanish Catholic name Francisco Dias-Carni (Francis God-flesh). Following his conversion, Remoch's feelings towards Catholicism were so strong that he endangered his old Jewish friend En-Shealtiel Bonfos, (probably a son of the physician Isaac Bonfos born Shealtiel of Falces), in his efforts to get Bonfos to convert as well.
Remoch (Francisco) wrote a letter to his friend in Hebrew, critical of Judaism and supportive of the beliefs of Christianity. In response, Remoch received two letters. Bonfos composed a careful response to what was a very delicate topic during the Inquisition, avoiding any statements that the Church might find offensive.
The satirical poet Solomon ben Reuben Bonfed wrote his own much less careful reply to Remoch's arguments in a rhyming prose that attacked each of Remoch's arguments.
Solomon first apologizes for his interference in matters that are none of his business, then insists that as a Jew he cannot remain silent amidst the argument, and continues to argue that the Christian belief system was unsupportable, stating, "You twist and distort the Bible text to establish the Trinity."[1]
