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Sabbatai Zevi

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Religious Figure

The Resume

    (August 1, 1626-September 17, 1676)
    Born in Izmir, Turkey
    Rabbi and kabbalist
    Publicly declared himself the Jewish Messiah (1665)

Why he might be annoying:

    He had wild mood swings.
    Jewish religious authorities exiled him from several cities for blasphemous behavior, such as speaking the full name of God or marrying the Torah with a full Jewish ceremony.
    He married a prostitute who had claimed she would one day become the bride of the Messiah.
    He was captured by Ottoman soldiers, accused of plotting to overthrow the sultan, and saved his neck by converting to Islam (1666).
    He was initially rewarded with a post as the royal doorkeeper, but his erratic behavior eventually got him exiled to Montenegro.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was said to have a fine singing voice.
    He attracted thousands of followers in a short time.
    He preached equality between the sexes, with Jewish women becoming some of his most fervent supporters.
    Although his conversion to Islam took the wind out of the sails of his movement, a group of followers, known as the Doenmeh, lasted into the 20th century.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 78.57% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 83 Votes: 61.45% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 34 Votes: 73.53% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 10 Votes: 90.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying