The Messianic Movement of Shaptaidsvi: A Journey into Sabbatianism

✨Sabbatianism, a messianic movement led by Shaptaidsvi, shook the Jewish world in the 17th century.

📚The movement had its foundations in mysticism and messianism, drawing from the teachings of Kabbalah.

🌍Sabbatianism gained widespread support across various Jewish communities, even reaching Europe and South America.

🕌Shaptaidsvi's eventual conversion to Islam fractured the movement, with some followers creating new sects.

💡Sabbatianism serves as a case study in the dynamics of mass social and religious movements.

Who was Shaptaidsvi?

—Shaptaidsvi, also known as Sabbatai Zevi, was a self-proclaimed Jewish messiah who led the Sabbatian movement in the 17th century.

What were the key beliefs of Sabbatianism?

—Sabbatianism was rooted in mysticism and messianism, drawing from the teachings of Kabbalah. It believed in the redemption of the world through Shaptaidsvi's leadership.

How did Sabbatianism impact the Jewish world?

—Sabbatianism garnered significant support across various Jewish communities, leading to wide-scale fervor and anticipation of the messianic age.

What happened to Shaptaidsvi and the Sabbatian movement?

—Shaptaidsvi was captured by the Ottoman Empire and given the ultimatum to convert to Islam or die. He chose conversion, which caused the movement to fracture and form new sects.

What can we learn from Sabbatianism?

—Sabbatianism provides insights into the dynamics of mass social and religious movements, as well as the powerful influence of mysticism and messianism.

00:00Introduction: Meet Shaptaidsvi, the leader of Sabbatianism, a messianic movement in the 17th century.

04:59Explore the foundations of Sabbatianism: mysticism and messianism rooted in Kabbalah.

09:59Discover how Sabbatianism captured the hearts and minds of Jewish communities worldwide.

15:59Learn about the impact of Shaptaidsvi's conversion to Islam on the Sabbatian movement.

20:59Unravel the aftermath of Sabbatianism and the formation of new sects.