Nehemiah HaKohen

Nehemiah HaKohen was a Polish Sabbatean preacher and kabbalist who lived in the 17th century.

Life Little is known about Nehemiah HaKohen's life. Owing to his wide knowledge of the Kabbalah, he was sent in 1666 by the Jewish communities of Poland to Gallipoli, where Sabbatai Zevi was at that time detained, in order that the latter's claim to being the Messiah might be investigated. Sabbatai Zevi was at first pleased with the arrival of Nehemiah; but after a long discussion, Nehemiah frankly declared him to be nothing else than an impostor. Sabbatai and his followers thereupon decided secretly to kill Nehemiah, but the latter detected their design, and ran into the street, shouting that he wished to embrace Islam. Immediately, the Islamic turban was placed on his head and he was declared to be a Muslim.