The Romantic Messiah

In honour of Joseph Khelebi, a banker of Cairo, the Sabbath meal in Diego’s home was served with more than usual ceremony.

As tax colector for the Khedive of Egypt, Joseph Khelebi attended the court of his Majesty the Sultan, bore the title of Saraf-Pasha, and was received with great honour throughout the East by both Jew and Mussulma.

Financiers of India and Europe knew his bank at Alexandria well. His ships sailed to the farthest seas.

He was forty years old, and in his magnificent gold-embroidered robe, he was singularly handsome. Framed by a black, silky beard, his full lips bore shadows of purple, while his white teeth gleamed. Without his turban, by which the East distinguishes a Jew from a Mussulman, one might have taken him for an Arabian prince. His eyes glowed like coals smouldering in their ashes, and though his glance was frank and straightforward, his eyes revealed a profound sadness, for he had recently lost his wife whom he had greatly loved.

Diego, who carried on important dealings with Khelebi, welcomed him in the most cordial and sumptuous maner. The lable was loaded with rare vessels of silver, and sparkled with cut glass. In the center stood a tall gold va#fGenoese workmanship. Rach#ad donned her most magnificent jewels and had persuaded Sarah to wear a pearl necklace in honour of their guest.

In addition to Khelebi and the members of Diego’s household, there was present at the table, a Rabbi and six Jewish beggars who had been lucky enough to draw Diego’s name at the lottery which took place very Friday. Their good luck entitled them to eat their Sabbath dinner at Diego’s house.

They sat side by side, much embarrassed by the presence of the brilliant stranger. But the mistress of the house with charming simplicity soon put them all at ease. From time to time , Diego glanced toward them in a friendly way and more than once Khelebi himself smiled good-humouredly with flashing teeth. Sarah graciously passed them dishes of food.

The Rabbi questioned the guest on the Jewish situation in the East. Were the precepts of faith carefully observed? How did the Mussulmen and common people treat the Israelites?

Khelebi answered from a full knowledge of the subject. He gave the exact number of Jews in the Ottoman Empire, described their state of affairs, which on the whole, he said was flourishing, and praised the tolerance and wisdom of the Sultan. He added that Khekim Pasha, private physician to his Majesty Mahomet IV, was a Jew by birth.

“Unhappily he was converted to Islam,” added Khelebi sadly. “But the Sultan is not to blame for it. He loves the Jews and respects their religious feelings.”

By way of example he cited an authentic case. Two years before, in Smyrna, the synagogue had been the scene of a small scandal. A young Kabbalist whose name Khelebi had forgotten, but who was very popular among the young people, had proclaimed himself the Messiah before a congregation of the faithful. An old Kabbalist, honoured by all Smyrna, the Rabbi Elezer (bowing his head, the Rabbi testified that this revered name was known to him), had been quite properly outraged by the action, and commanded the young man to do penance. But the later, far from obeying his Rabbi, had brazenly disputed with him, and uttered the name of God in a loud voice (the Rabbi, Diego, and the beggars shuddered), and had declared that the time of miracles had arrived. He had, moreover, called Rabbi Eliezer a slave of the Sultan, and had abused all the other Rabbis as shameless cowards who knew only how to pray and invoke the Messiah, but who, nevertheless, would not dare to follow him for fear of the Cadi.

At court an influenctial eunuch who was an enemy of the Jews, decribed the incident to the Sultan, embellishing it with certain scandalous details. Fearing the Sultan’s wrath, Khekim Pasha had timidly appeared before him, prepared to defend his brothers in blood. But the Sultan had received him gaily.

“Khekim Pasha,” he began, “what crime has the young man committed? Does not the Jewish religion command him to believe in the liberation of his people from the yoke of all foreign princes? He is right. He pleases me. I am sorry he has no taste for the army. I would have made an exception and sent him as a commissioned officer to the siege of Vienna.”

Khelebi’s tale entranced all those present. The master of the house and his guests looked with pride on this powerful and good-looking Jews who knew all the secrets of the court of Adrianople.

“And what became of the young Kabbalist?” asked the Rabbi with hidden emotion.

“Very soon after the excitement he disappeared from Smyrna. His friends followed him, but the clamour he raised has not yet subsided. Before my departure, I heard in Alexandria that he goes from town to town, preaching in the synagogues. They say he proclaims himself as the Messiah more and more openly. He has many disciples.”

A silence followed, interrupted at last by Khelebi.

“There is something in the man,” he said meditatively. “I hace been told that he has a marvellous voice, is physically attractive, and that he has a great gift of speech. . . . It is said also that Rabbi Eliezer has repented having attacked him, and that he doubts. . . . Ah! I remember. His name is Sabbatai . . . Sabbatai Zevy. His father is an egg-merchant.” To be continued tomorrow