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Lesson 9 of 10·Creativity and Confrontation: The History of Medieval Jewry

Medieval Jewish Messianism

In the late medieval period, messianism developed a powerful hold on the Jewish imagination, culminating in the emergence of Shabbetai Tzvi, a figure who Jews across the world believed to be the messiah. In this episode, Rabbi Schacter explores why this messianic movement became so popular, and how it all unraveled.

Taught By

Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter
Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter is University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought and senior scholar at the Center for the Jewish Future at Yeshiva University. From 2000 to 2005, he served as dean of the Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik Institute in Boston, and from 1981 to 2000, he served as…