Abraham ha-Yakini
Encyclopedia
Abraham ha-Yakini was one of the chief agitators in the Sabbatean movement, the son of Pethahiah of Constantinople. He was born—according to a not entirely reliable source, מאורעות צבי (Lemberg, 1871, p. 3)—on September 8, 1611. He studied under Joseph Trani
of Constantinople
(died 1644), and under Mordecai, a German kabbalist
. From the latter he probably derived the touch of mysticism which, combined with cunning and great intelligence, made him the most suitable representative of Sabbatai Zevi
. Ha-Yakini persuaded Sabbatai Zevi, who at that time was convinced that he was the Messiah but was timid and fearful of proclaiming himself, boldly to declare his claims. It was in Constantinople, about 1653, that Sabbatai Zevi became acquainted with Ha-Yakini, who, on account of his learning and oratorical powers, enjoyed a great reputation in his native town. He is described by contemporaries as the best preacher of his day.
Ha-Yakini is said by some to have put into the hands of Sabbatai Zevi a spurious book in archaic characters, which, he assured him, contained the Scriptural proof of his Messianic origin. This fabrication, entitled The Great Wisdom of Solomon, began as follows:
In this manner, and in a style imitating the ancient apocalypses, this fabrication, attributed by some scholars to Ha-Yakini, who was a master of Hebrew diction, continues to describe the vision which had appeared to the fictitious Abraham. (Other scholars attribute the letter to Nathan of Gaza.) Sabbatai Zevi accepted this work as an actual revelation and determined to go to Thessaloniki
—the paradise of kabbalists—and there begin his public activity. Zevi was not ungrateful, and later appointed ha-Yakini among the kings whom he purposed to enthrone over his prospective worldwide empire.
Ha-Yakini on his side proved himself not unworthy of the confidence shown by his master. He gave proof of his devotion at the time when Sabbatai Zevi was in prison in Constantinople
, and when even the greatest enthusiast could no longer be in doubt concerning his true character. He forged official opinions of the rabbinical council of Constantinople in favor of Sabbatai's claims to Messiahship. With great subtlety he obtained influence over two Polish
rabbis who, as delegates of the Jews of eastern Europe, had come to Constantinople in order to investigate the claims of Sabbatai, and exercised such influence over them as to lead them to declare themselves his adherents. The conversion of Sabbatai to Islam
put an end to the career of ha-Yakini as an agitator.
), which appeared under the title Hod Malkut (Glory of the Kingdom), Constantinople, 1655. He also wrote Eshel Abraham (Abraham's Oak), a collection of sermons, and Tosefet Merubbah (Additions to Additions), a commentary upon the Tosefta
, and responsa. At the request of the Dutch scholar and bibliophile L. Warner, whom he knew personally and for whom he copied many Karaite Jewish
manuscripts, he composed a work on the genealogy of the patriarch Abraham
, which is still preserved in the Warner collection at Leiden. From a Hebrew letter of ha-Yakini to Warner it is learned that the former was in favor with the Dutch minister at the Turkish
court, and it must be stated to the credit of ha-Yakini that he used his influence in behalf of strangers.
Among the Krymchaks
(Crimean Jews), ha-Yakini is still a name to conjure with. At their prayers in memory of Israel's great dead, his name is mentioned with special solemnity.
Joseph Trani
Joseph Trani or Joseph di Trani was a Talmudist of the latter part of the 16th century who lived in Greece. By contemporary scholars he was called Mahrimat , and regarded as one of the foremost Talmudists of his time...
of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
(died 1644), and under Mordecai, a German kabbalist
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
. From the latter he probably derived the touch of mysticism which, combined with cunning and great intelligence, made him the most suitable representative of Sabbatai Zevi
Sabbatai Zevi
Sabbatai Zevi, , was a Sephardic Rabbi and kabbalist who claimed to be the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. He was the founder of the Jewish Sabbatean movement...
. Ha-Yakini persuaded Sabbatai Zevi, who at that time was convinced that he was the Messiah but was timid and fearful of proclaiming himself, boldly to declare his claims. It was in Constantinople, about 1653, that Sabbatai Zevi became acquainted with Ha-Yakini, who, on account of his learning and oratorical powers, enjoyed a great reputation in his native town. He is described by contemporaries as the best preacher of his day.
Ha-Yakini is said by some to have put into the hands of Sabbatai Zevi a spurious book in archaic characters, which, he assured him, contained the Scriptural proof of his Messianic origin. This fabrication, entitled The Great Wisdom of Solomon, began as follows:
In this manner, and in a style imitating the ancient apocalypses, this fabrication, attributed by some scholars to Ha-Yakini, who was a master of Hebrew diction, continues to describe the vision which had appeared to the fictitious Abraham. (Other scholars attribute the letter to Nathan of Gaza.) Sabbatai Zevi accepted this work as an actual revelation and determined to go to Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
—the paradise of kabbalists—and there begin his public activity. Zevi was not ungrateful, and later appointed ha-Yakini among the kings whom he purposed to enthrone over his prospective worldwide empire.
Ha-Yakini on his side proved himself not unworthy of the confidence shown by his master. He gave proof of his devotion at the time when Sabbatai Zevi was in prison in Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, and when even the greatest enthusiast could no longer be in doubt concerning his true character. He forged official opinions of the rabbinical council of Constantinople in favor of Sabbatai's claims to Messiahship. With great subtlety he obtained influence over two Polish
History of the Jews in Poland
The history of the Jews in Poland dates back over a millennium. For centuries, Poland was home to the largest and most significant Jewish community in the world. Poland was the centre of Jewish culture thanks to a long period of statutory religious tolerance and social autonomy. This ended with the...
rabbis who, as delegates of the Jews of eastern Europe, had come to Constantinople in order to investigate the claims of Sabbatai, and exercised such influence over them as to lead them to declare themselves his adherents. The conversion of Sabbatai to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
put an end to the career of ha-Yakini as an agitator.
Works
Notwithstanding his activity in this direction, he found time for literary work, which is of such merit that, had it not been for the deceptions he practised, it would have secured him an honorable place among the Jewish scholars of his time. He is the author of one hundred and fifty psalms (composed in imitation of those in the BibleBible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
), which appeared under the title Hod Malkut (Glory of the Kingdom), Constantinople, 1655. He also wrote Eshel Abraham (Abraham's Oak), a collection of sermons, and Tosefet Merubbah (Additions to Additions), a commentary upon the Tosefta
Tosefta
The Tosefta is a compilation of the Jewish oral law from the period of the Mishnah.-Overview:...
, and responsa. At the request of the Dutch scholar and bibliophile L. Warner, whom he knew personally and for whom he copied many Karaite Jewish
Karaite Judaism
Karaite Judaism or Karaism is a Jewish movement characterized by the recognition of the Tanakh alone as its supreme legal authority in Halakhah, as well as in theology...
manuscripts, he composed a work on the genealogy of the patriarch Abraham
Abraham
Abraham , whose birth name was Abram, is the eponym of the Abrahamic religions, among which are Judaism, Christianity and Islam...
, which is still preserved in the Warner collection at Leiden. From a Hebrew letter of ha-Yakini to Warner it is learned that the former was in favor with the Dutch minister at the Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
court, and it must be stated to the credit of ha-Yakini that he used his influence in behalf of strangers.
Among the Krymchaks
Krymchaks
The Krymchaks are a Turkic people, community of Turkic languages and adherents of Rabbinic Judaism living in Crimea. They have historically lived in close proximity to the Crimean Karaites...
(Crimean Jews), ha-Yakini is still a name to conjure with. At their prayers in memory of Israel's great dead, his name is mentioned with special solemnity.
Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography
- Moritz Steinschneider, Cat. Bodl. No. 4240;
- idem, Leyden Catalogue, p. 290;
- Julius FürstJulius FürstJulius Fürst , was a Jewish German orientalist.Fürst was a distinguished scholar of Semitic languages and literature...
, Gesch. d. Karäert. iii. 53; - Anmerkungen, p. 92;
- Heinrich Grätz, Gesch. d. Juden, 3d ed., x. 191, 211, 217;
- D. Kahana, Eben ha-To'im, pp. 6, 29, 37;
- AzulaiChaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai ben Isaac Zerachia , commonly known as the Chida , was a Jerusalem born rabbinical scholar, a noted bibliophile, and a pioneer in the publication of Jewish religious writings.- Biography :Azulai was born in Jerusalem, where he received his education...
, Shem ha-Gedolim he-Ḥadash, letter Aleph, No. 58; - Deinard, Massa Krim, ii. 159.