The Jewish Messiahs From the Galilee to Crown Heights

Explores the history of Jewish messianism, looking at all the Jewish messiahs about whom anything is known, introducing each of these in turn and offering excerpts of the original texts that tell their stories. By examining the messianic idea in the tradition which gave rise to it, Lenowitz sheds light on this aspect of Jewish history.



In this book, Harris Lenowitz explores the fascinating history of Jewish messianic movements. Looking in detail at all of the Jewish messiahs about whom anything is known, he introduces each of these figures in turn, and offers extensive excerpts of the original texts that tell their stories. The messiahs whom we meet in these pages range from the inspiring to the tragic and bizarre. By examining the messianic idea in the tradition which gave birth to it, Lenowitz both sheds new light on this engrossing aspect of Jewish history and provides a firmer basis for understanding contemporary messianic groups.