Jacob Querido

Who was Jacob Querido?

Jacob Querido was the successor of the self-proclaimed Jewish Messiah Sabbatai Zevi. Born in Thessaloniki, he was the son of Joseph the Philosopher and brother of Jochebed, Shabbatai Zevi's last wife. Jochebed claimed that he was the reincarnation of her late spouse, so that he might succeed to the leadership of Sabbatai's followers. He attracted a considerable following of his own, called Ya‘qōviyīm or Yakubiler.

Querido converted to Islam taking his name as Yakup in 1687 and playing an important role in the Dönmeh. He led his disciples on a pilgrimage to Mecca. He died in Alexandria on his way back.