Shabbetai Zevi
Shabbetai Zevi was a 17th-century Jewish mystic and self-proclaimed messiah born in 1626 in Smyrna, now Izmir, Turkey. He gained a significant following among Jews in the Ottoman Empire and beyond, claiming to fulfill biblical prophecies. His teachings combined elements of Kabbalah and traditional Jewish beliefs, leading many to believe he was the long-awaited redeemer.
In 1666, Zevi was arrested by the Ottoman authorities and faced the choice of death or conversion to Islam. He chose conversion, which led to a crisis of faith among his followers. Despite his controversial end, Zevi's movement influenced various sects, including the Dönmeh, a group of crypto-Jews.