Shabbetai Zev as a False Messiah

Zevi was born in Smyrna in 1626. His father worked as an agent for an English exporting house (Silver 181). Zevi was a Sephardi Jew who, although receiving a thorough religious education, was by no means a scholar (Sharot 91). One of the subject areas that he studied was the Kabbala, a system of mystical religious thought.

Zevi, a manic-depressive, first proclaimed himself the Messiah in 1649. He convinced a limited number of followers during this period; however, most were merely attracted by his personal charisma. Zevi was twice divorced before he met his future wife Sarah, a Polish Jewess who was to have an influential effect on his religious career. Before meeting Zevi, she made it known that she felt destined to marry the Messiah (Patai xlv).

Zevi did not gain wide popular support as the Messiah until the prophetic utterances of Nathan Ashkenazi in 1665. During a Pentecost religious service, Nathan fell into a trance and mentioned Zevi, an acqu

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au also foretold the triumph of the Jews over their enemies. Claims to Israel's greatness continued through the reign of King David; God revealed to him that he would never lack a descendant to sit upon his throne. Jews throughout the proceeding centuries took these promises to heart: " . . . the messianic belief arose out of the all-essential faith of Israel that they are the chosen people, destined to become the world's regenerators and masters. The promise of God that Israel be a 'kingdom of priests and a holy nation' was the germ which grew, in time, into a national conviction that they would some day enjoy spiritual primacy over the world" (Sarachek 4). Certain fanatical Jews interpreted these promises as meaning that they would literally become the world's rulers. Nathan, in prophesying about Zevi, did not claim that the Redemption would come as a military victory. He limited his threats of revenge to those who were responsible for the Polish massacres. Further, Nathan predicted that Zevi's reign would not usher in a period of great wonders, signs, and miracles. Nathan argued that the truly devout should base their belief on faith alone, and that those who refused to believe would be condemned. Included in Nathan's
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2780
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)