In 1385, St. Vincent Ferrer began to deliver a series of sermons in the Cathedral of Valencia, preaching like no man of that time had ever preached. Later, he traveled much of Western Europe, addressing crowds in Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany and even England and Ireland; and, wherever he went, he repaired some of the damage caused by the Black Death, the Pope’s Exile and the Schism. It was followed by about 10,000 penitents. I used to take care of the plague patients and the hungry. He performed amazing miracles. Muslims and Jews were moved by their eloquence. He converted thousands of Muslims from Granada. And no less important among his accomplishments—not at all—was the conversion of 25,000 to 30,000 Jews. There have always been some converts to Christianity among them, but the number was relatively small until St. Vincent, through his preaching and his miracles, began to touch their hearts, arousing compassion for the sufferings of the Crucified Jew. In 1390, he participated in a conversion aimed at having memorable consequences in the history of Spain. He baptized the famous Rabbi Selemoh ha-Levi, who, as Señor Madariaga observes, was "known throughout the Spanish Jewish community for his scholarship and talent", was "equally respected for his knowledge and virtue" and was "without a doubt whole and honest." This was the general verdict about him, except for some of his most embittered Jewish critics, who resented his conversion. He became as illustrious in the Catholic Church as he had been in the synagogue and, adopting the name of Don Pablo de Santa Maria (it is said to have seen Our Lady in a vision), eventually became Bishop of Burgos. Now this good and sincere man, after his conversion, accused the Jews of applying to Spain the prophecy of Jacob—"The scepter shall not be taken from Judah"—intending to control it and turn it into a New Jerusalem; and he was responsible for legislation restricting the activities of the Jews.