ABSTRACT
This article explores Scholem's and Taubes's interpretation of the phenomenon of Sabbatai Zevi. It argues that in spite of their differences, both writers agree with contemporary adversaries of Zevi regarding his conversion to Islam. The article reconsiders the contemporary evidence surrounding Zevi's death, and interprets it as a second “occlusion”. It states the case for a reconsideration of the case of Sabbatai Zevi beyond the prejudices of his contemporary adversaries and Enlightenment critics of messianism in particular and religion in general.
