The Messianic Ideology of Shabbetai Tsvi, and Its Lasting Influence on Judaism

In 1665, shortly before the holiday of Shavuot, a distinguished kabbalist named Nathan of Gaza was visited by Shabbetai Tsvi, an itinerant Jewish student of mysticism from Izmir. Nathan concluded that the other man was the messiah, and within a few months news of his arrival had swept through the Jewish world. Shabbetai was neither the first nor the last Jewish false messiah, but what was most important about him was the mystical theology that he and his followers developed. Matt Goldish explains these strange and captivating beliefs, and their lasting impact on Judaism, in conversation with J.J. Kimche. (Audio 64 minutes.)