Sabbatai Zevi was a Jewish Rabbi, in 1666 he claimed to be the Messiah, converted to Islam, and his followers would dedicate themselves to doing the opposite of Gods law. The term for this is antinomian, which rejects laws or legalism and argues against moral, religious or social norms, He succeeded in convincing thousands, with some estimates as high as of two thirds of European Jews into accepting him as the long-awaited redeemer. In 1759 Jakkob Frank, a Polish Jew, claimed to be the reincarnation of Sabbatai Zevi, he led several thousand Jews to a mass conversion to Roman Catholicism. This movement would flourish in Europe then go underground. Today this ideology has similarities to the Bektashi Sufi, and certain Masonic orders. 382
DID YOU KNOW: That after the first, or "Great Jewish Revolt," in 70 CE, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple. Rome then imposed the Fiscus Judaicus or Jewish Tax, which replaced the traditional half-shekel Temple tax that Jews paid for the maintenance of the Temple in Jerusalem. This was a punitive tax levied on all Jews throughout the Roman Empire, regardless of their involvement in the revolt. It was directed towards the reconstruction of the Temple of Jupiter in Rome, which was a significant humiliation for the Jewish population. This tax was applied to a broader segment of the Jewish population, including women, children, and elderly, unlike the previous Temple tax which was only paid by adult men. This financial burden, only increased discontent and unrest among the Jewish population. 442
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
