People's have short memories. Apparently the Jewish People had forgotten the terrible embarrassment that Kabbala had caused them just 4 centuries ago. You see, the numerical elements of Kabbala had come together so propitiously in the middle of the 17th Century, particularly for one by the name of Sabbatai Sevi, sometimes written Zevi, and his beautiful consort. They did the Math and they made a tour of most of the Jewish Communities in Europe and presented their case, that he himself, Sabbatai Sevi was the Messiah, and was on the verge of setting up World Rule.

The ‘proof’ from the Kabbala was irrefutable, given its own rules. Even the great Philosopher Spinoza was taken in by it and was arranging the distributions of his property. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of Jews were selling homes and shops, liquefying their assets getting ready to follow their Messiah.

One Rabbi, an old man, in some Jewish Community in Italy or thereabouts had stood up and disputed Sevi’s claim. The Old Rabbi was driven out of his Synagogue in disgrace. The entire Ghetto turned their back on him. Only after the collapse of the movement, did they remember they had been warned. Well, undoubtedly there had been more than one Wise Old Rabbi who lived in disgrace for awhile.

But this Messianic Movement did go on for over 10 years.

Finally a very clever Turkish Sultan brought the affair to a head. He invited Sabbatai Sevi to Constantinople, to the Capital of the Ottoman Empire and the Seat of the Muslim Caliphate. The Sultan told Sabbatai Sevi that he would be given a Gloriously Splendid Uniform and that nobody would be permitted to attend upon the Sultan without first seeing Sabbatai Sevi first.

Well, this seemed like a good start, and so off Sabbatai went to Byzantium. Well, have you guessed? Sabbatai Sevi was made the Sultan’s personal ‘doorman’. He was given a grand uniform with a splendid turban and was placed outside the door… where he was endlessly laughed at for having been such a fool. The news of their Messiah’s disgrace – falling butt to such an easy joke – it shocked Jewish Europe. But it was not over, and it would get worse.

The Sultan had not only a good sense of humor, but had a very keen and discerning intelligence. The Sultan apologized for his ‘joke’ – “what is a joke between Friends and Equals” he probably put it – and then the Sultan proposed that he would consider stepping aside but first Sabbatai Sevi would have to convert to Islam, saying “There is no God but God, and Mohamed is His greatest prophet”. Well, Sabbatai Sevi converted. THAT was the final devestating blow. World Judaism was crushed by the darkest humiliation and demoralization.

What happened to Sabbatai Sevi? Well, he wasn’t a very good Muslim, as the Sultan expected, but after he had Converted, he had placed himself under Islamic Law. Of course, it was against some kind of Islamic Law to go about claiming to be the Jewish Messiah and so Sabbatai Sevi was executed, but by that time everybody was through caring.