Apostasy in Judaism

Apostasy in Judaism refers to the rejection of Judaism by a Jew and defection to another religion [Apostasy is defined as " [http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/Apostasy renunciation of a religious faith] ", in this case, Judaism. See apostasy for further clarification.] The term apostasy is derived from Greek ), thought to be prophetic of the High Priests Jason and Menelaus, who deserted their religion and their nation to the horror and hatred of their contemporaries.

In the Talmud

In the Talmud, Elisha ben Abuyah (referred to as "Acher", the "Other One") is singled out as an apostate by the rabbis.

Medieval Spain

In Medieval Spain, a systematic conversion of Jews to Christianity took place, largely under threats and force [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=IRyTg1jZaxAC&pg=PA128&dq=Medieval+Spain+conversion+Jews&sig=R8tuR9MeSzaYyEvIoi9izaCnT2o Figures of Conversion: The Jewish Question and English National Identity] - By Michael Ragussis - Duke University Press, 1995, Page 128, Quote: "The persecutions of the Jews that dominated fifteenth-century Spain, including the forced conversion of masses of Spanish Jews"] . The apostasy of these "conversos" provoked the indignation of some Jews in Spain and it was made illegal to call a converso a by the epithet, "tornadizo" (renegade). [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=-89-GjxFU24C&pg=PA65&dq=Converso+former&lr=&sig=Xqp2VIjYAJu8O2-HlijTRDXAYx0 A Social and Religious History of the Jews] - By Salo Wittmayer Baron - Columbia University Press]

Several inquisitors of the Spanish Inquisition, such as Tomás de Torquemada, and Francis Quiñones the Bishop of Coria, are thought to be descendants of apostate Jews. Known apostates who made their mark in history by attempting to convert other Jews in the 1300s and 1400s include Juan de Valladolid and Astruc Remoch.

Some Spanish Jews, however, remained crypto-Jews despite being compelled to convert to Christianity (see "Anusim"). They are also called "Marranos". [Joseph Jacobs and Meyer Kayserling. " [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=169&letter=M Marano] ." "Jewish Encyclopedia". JewishEncyclopedia.com.]

abbatai Zevi and Jacob Frank

In 1648 Sabbatai Zevi presented himself as the Jewish Messiah, and his Jewish followers were known as Sabbateans. Under the threat of death by the Ottoman Sultan, he and many of his followers converted to Islam in 1666. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=g1isTTzX7ZIC&dq=Sabbatai+Zevi+converted+Islam God-Optional Judaism: Alternatives for Cultural Jews Who Love Their History] By "Judith Seid", Published 2001, Citadel Press: Quote: "Sabbatai Zevi converted to Islam under threat of death"]

In the 1750s Jacob Frank presented himself as the successor of Zevi and attracted many followers in Poland, known as Frankists. In 1759, with Frank's encouragement, more than 500 Frankists were baptized as Catholics. Frank himself was also baptized, with the King of Poland as his godfather. [http://books.google.com/books?id=ZP_f9icf2roC&pg=PA358&dq=Jacob+Frank+Augustus+baptized&sig=6mb20GtPW6dV41TWR6KvGktDAf4#PPA357,M1 Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions] - By Wendy Doniger - Page 358 - Published by Merriam-Webster]

Notes and references

ee also

*Conversion to Judaism
*Heresy in Orthodox Judaism
*Yetzia bish'eila
*Schisms among the Jews
*Who is a Jew?
*Halakha
*Ger tzedek
*Religious disaffiliation

External links

* [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1654&letter=A Jewish Encyclopedia: Apostasy and Apostates from Judaism]