Andrea Millares - Safed Kabbalah and the Sephardic Heritage

Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism)
2. What are the most important aspects of Safed Kabbalah? For example, how does it view the redemption of the Jewish people?
Safed Kabbalah views the redemption of the Jewish people as a struggle, which is to overcome the historic Jewish exile and the mystic exile of the Shekhinah. Lurianic Kabbalah focuses on the actions of man, in addition to the natural tikkun of the broken vessels, to conclude the tikkun. Basically, this means that although the breaking of the vessels occurs on its own, it is mankind's responsibility, through religious contemplation and activity, to redeem themselves. Specifically, mankind's role in tikkun is carried out through following the commandments of the Torah and through prayer, and the proper intentions (kavvanot). Each person has a responsibility, or role, to play spiritually. This role is assigned to them and they must fulfill it accordingly.

Shabbetai Zevi and Jacob Frank
2. What was the life story of Shabbetai Zevi? How did he come to believe that he was the messiah? What were his relations with Nathan of Gaza? How did Jews receive his announcement that he was the messiah?

Shabbetai Zevi, though attracted to ascetic lifestyle, delved into temptation and often acted against Jewish religious law. He was said to be very mentally unstable, and began to refer to himself as the Messiah. When Shabbeti Zevi heard of a holy man in Gaza named Nathan who was known to reveal a person's soul and spiritual role to fulfill tikkun, he sought Nathan out so he could "seek a cure for his soul". Apparently, Nathan had heard of Shabbetai before their meeting and has a vision that Shabbetai was the Messiah. Nathan told Shabbetai that his soul was not, in fact, suffering from illness, but rather that his calling was that he was the awaiting Messiah. On the night of Shavout, Nathan had another vision strengthening his theory that Shabbetai was the Messiah indeed, and he informed a group of rabbis. Shortly after, the public was informed. The response was mixed; some rabbis publicly opposed him, but as Nathan and Shabbetai spread the word in Israsel, Syria, and Turkey, many Jewish communities gave him support and minimal opposition. He was able to convince his followers to eat "forbidden fat" of a roasted lamb. Even when Zevi was arrested, his followers were steadfast. But, when Shabettai given the choice of death or conversion to Islam by the vizier, he chose to convert. As expected, this caused unrest and disbelief in his followers. Nathan used this, however, to further Shabbetai's support; he explained that Shabbetai helped them "restore the sparks of their own souls" in the name of their role in tikkun. This was part of their redemption. Zevi still practiced Judaism in private.