A British Sephardi Rabbi in the Age of Enlightenment, Deism, and False Messianism

Born in Venice in 1654, David Nieto obtained rabbinic ordination in Livorno as well as a medical degree from the University of Padua. In 1701, Nieto (who used the Sephardi rabbinic title ḥakham) settled in London, where he became the rabbi of the newly established Spanish and Portuguese congregation. A contemporary of Isaac Newton, he was fascinated by the recent advances of the Scientific Revolution, and likely by the effort of British churchmen to come to terms with its theological implications. In conversation with Nachi Weinstein, Matt Goldish explains the intellectual world of one of England’s most important rabbis, his thought, and his involvement in controversies surrounding both religious skeptics and followers of the false messiah Shabbetai Tsvi. (Audio, 85 minutes.)