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Samuel Primo

1634 – 1708

Sabbatean sectarian

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About Samuel Primo

Lived 1634 – 1708 (aged 73–74). Samuel Primo was a rabbi.

Samuel Primo (c. 1635 in Jerusalem – 1708 in Adrianople), was a prominent Sabbatean sectarian of the 17th century.

Primo was one of the earliest followers of Sabbatai Zevi, the self-proclaimed Jewish messiah. Primo became Zevi's private secretary on Zevi's journey from Jerusalem to Smyrna in 1665, cleverly managing to give the advent of the pseudo-Messiah an air of dignity. From Smyrna, Primo spread the news among foreign Jews that the Messiah had actually appeared. With certain of his confidants he was the first to plan the abolition of rabbinic Judaism. In the name of Zevi, Primo sent a circular to the Jews (December 1665) advising the abolition of the fast-day Tisha B'Av from the Hebrew calendar.

In February, 1666, Primo accompanied Zevi to Constantinople. After Zevi converted to Islam, Primo explained this apparent apostasy as having been foreordained in the Messianic role. Concerning the rest of his life not much is known.

Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography Hottinger, Thesaurus. xxx. 287–361, Zurich, 1649 Weiss, in Bet ha-Midrash, 1868, pp. 64, 100; Grätz, Gesch. 3d ed., x. 199 et seq. and note 3.

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Important facts

Born
1634
Birth century
Died
1708
Occupation

People in Samuel Primo's life

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Samuel Primo?

sabbatean sectarian

When was Samuel Primo born?

Samuel Primo was born in 1634.

When did Samuel Primo die?

Samuel Primo died in 1708.

What was Samuel Primo's occupation?

Samuel Primo was a rabbi.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Samuel Primo

· Wikidata: Q25490878

· DBpedia: Samuel Primo

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Samuel Primo. https://biography.guide/samuel-primo/

MLA: "Samuel Primo." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/samuel-primo/.

Chicago: "Samuel Primo." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/samuel-primo/.

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