Apostasy in Judaism refers to the rejection of Judaism by a Jew and defection to another religion^[1] The term apostasy is derived from Greek , meaning "political rebel", as applied to rebellion against God and Judaism^[2] (Hebrew ???^[3]). Expressions for apostate that are used by rabbinical scholars include mumar (????, literally "the one that changes"), poshea Yisrael (???? ?????, literally, "transgressor of Israel"), and kofer (????, literally "denier").^[3] Similar terms are meshumad (?????), one who has abandoned his faith, and min (???) or apikorus (????????), which denote the negation of God and Judaism, implying atheism.^[3]

Examples

In the Bible

The first recorded reference to apostasy from Judaism is in the words of the prophet Ezekiel (), thought to be prophetic of the High Priests Jason and Menelaus, who deserted their religion and their nation to the horror and hatred of their contemporaries.

In the Talmud

In the Talmud, Elisha ben Abuyah (referred to as Acher, the "Other One") is singled out as an apostate by the rabbis.

Medieval Spain

In Medieval Spain, a systematic conversion of Jews to Christianity took place, largely under threats and force^[4]. The apostasy of these conversos provoked the indignation of some Jews in Spain and it was made illegal to call a converso a by the epithet, tornadizo (renegade).^[5]

Several inquisitors of the Spanish Inquisition, such as Tomás de Torquemada, and Francis Quiñones the Bishop of Coria, are thought to be descendants of apostate Jews. Known apostates who made their mark in history by attempting to convert other Jews in the 1300s and 1400s include Juan de Valladolid and Astruc Remoch.

Some Spanish Jews, however, remained crypto-Jews despite being compelled to convert to Christianity (see Anusim). They are also called Marranos.^[6]

Sabbatai Zevi and Jacob Frank

In 1648 Sabbatai Zevi presented himself as the Jewish Messiah, and his Jewish followers were known as Sabbateans. Under the threat of death by the Ottoman Sultan, he and many of his followers converted to Islam in 1666.^[7]

In the 1750s Jacob Frank presented himself as the successor of Zevi and attracted many followers in Poland, known as Frankists^[8]. In 1759, with Frank's encouragement, more than 500 Frankists were baptized as Catholics. Frank himself was also baptized, with the King of Poland as his godfather.^[8]

Notes and references

See also

• Conversion to Judaism
• Heresy in Orthodox Judaism
• Yetzia bish'eila
• Schisms among the Jews
• Who is a Jew?
• Halakha
• Ger tzedek
• Religious disaffiliation

External links

• Jewish Encyclopedia: Apostasy and Apostates from Judaism

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