It is curious that Nazi, and Nazi are pronounced the same yet have such contrasting meanings. In Biblical Hebrew, Nazi can refer to an important person, such as a tribal chief, king, or head of a large family. Originating from the nesi'im, which were leaders of the people in the wilderness who were sent to spy out the land and bring gifts and sacrifices to the tabernacle. The meaning of the word changed over time to denote Prince, political leadership, or high social status. Members of the political party that controlled Germany under Adolf Hitler called themselves "Nazi," short for "Nationalsozialist." In the sixteenth century. Doña Gracia Nasi, was a formidable figure in Jewish history. Some others were, Hillel ha Nasi, Yehuda ha Nasi, also many Jewish leaders in Babylon held the title, Nasi. Considering how Catholic Germany was, did they not see the similarity? 392
In 1290 King Edward expelled the Jews from England. After persecution in Portugal a Sephardic Jew, Menasseh ben Israel, came to Holland with is father, studied at the Yeshiva in Amsterdam, excelled in Talmudic studies, and was appointed to the Rabbinical Council in Amsterdam. In 1650 he sent "The Hope of Israel," a petition to the English Parliament asking for the readmission of Jews. In October 1655, he was permitted to go to Britain, and wrote "Salvation of the Jews." Oliver Cromwell then granted individual Jews the right to settle in London. He was a Cabbalist with a strong belief in the coming of the Messiah. In 1666 the son of a British cloth merchant and Cabbalist, Sabbatai Zevi would declare himself to be the Messiah, he would convert to Islam, declare sin to be holy, and immoral acts were encouraged, many Europeans would hail him as the Messiah. They would be declared heretics and go underground. 379
