Life in Venice by Vittoe Carpaccio. Source Wikipedia/Academia de Venezia

Diary of a Black Jewish Messiah

Davide Reubeni was a black adventurer, who claimed to be an emissary from a powerful Jewish Kingdom in Arabia. His diary was recently translated into English

Diary of a Black Jewish Messiah: The Sixteenth-Century Journey of David Reubeni through Africa, the Middle East, and Europe
By Alan Verskin
Series: Stanford Studies in Jewish History and Culture
Stanfors University Press 2023

Cover Diary of a black Jewish messiahIn 1524, a Messianic Adventurer in Renaissance Europe, David Reubeni, arrived in Venice, claiming to be an emissary from a powerful Jewish kingdom in Arabia. This man would go on to captivate both Jewish and Christian audiences across Europe with his ambitious plans and messianic promises. His diary, recently published in a translation by Alan Verskin, offers a blend of diplomacy, adventure, and religious fervor, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex political and spiritual landscape of 16th-century Europe.

David Reubeni first appeared in Venice in late 1523 or early 1524. He presented himself as a man of royal lineage, claiming to be the son of a deceased King Solomon and the brother of a reigning King Joseph, who ruled over a Jewish kingdom in the Arabian desert of Habor. According to Reubeni, this kingdom was home to 300,000 Jews, descendants of the biblical tribes of Gad, Reuben (hence his adopted name), and half of Manasseh.

Reubeni’s physical appearance was striking and memorable. He was described as short and thin, with skin “as black as a Nubian” and a body covered in scars. This appearance, combined with his exotic claims and charismatic personality, made him a figure of great intrigue and speculation.

Mission and Objectives

Reubeni claimed to have been sent on a diplomatic mission by his brother King Joseph and seventy elders of their kingdom. His stated goal was to form an alliance between his Jewish kingdom and European Christian powers to launch a crusade against the Muslims. This proposed alliance would serve multiple purposes:

  • To provide military support for Reubeni’s kingdom in their ongoing conflicts with Muslim neighbors.
  • To aid European powers in their struggle against the expanding Ottoman Empire.
  • To facilitate the return of Jews to dominance in Palestine.

To achieve these objectives, Reubeni sought to meet with influential Christian leaders, including the Pope and various European monarchs. He requested weapons and military support, specifically asking for cannons to be delivered to the port of Jeddah.

European Travels and Diplomatic Efforts

Reubeni’s journey through Europe was marked by a series of high-profile meetings and dramatic encounters. After gaining support from some influential Jews in Venice, he made his way to Rome in February 152413. There, he secured audiences with Cardinal Egidio da Viterbo, a prominent Christian kabbalist, and Pope Clement VII.

The Pope, while not directly supporting Reubeni’s plans, provided him with letters of recommendation to King João III of Portugal8. This introduction led to Reubeni’s most significant diplomatic success. He arrived at the Portuguese court in November 1525 and initially found a receptive audience9. King João, intrigued by Reubeni’s proposals, agreed to provide Portuguese arms.

However, Reubeni’s time in Portugal was not without controversy. His presence and messianic claims stirred excitement among Portuguese conversos (forcibly converted Jews and their descendants). This unrest, combined with growing suspicions about Reubeni’s true motives, led to his expulsion from Portugal after about five months.

Impact on Jewish Communities

Reubeni’s appearance in Europe had a profound impact on Jewish communities, particularly among conversos. His claims of a powerful Jewish kingdom and promises of liberation resonated deeply with those who had been forced to hide their Jewish identity. In Portugal, a young converso named Diogo Pires was so inspired by Reubeni that he circumcised himself, took the name Solomon Molcho, and began preaching his own messianic visions.

He would spend a decade shuttling between European rulers in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and France, seeking weaponry in exchange for the support of his hitherto unknown but mighty Jewish kingdom.

However, Reubeni’s influence was not universally positive. His activities aroused suspicion from Christian authorities and potentially endangered the precarious position of Jews and conversos in some areas. Some Jewish leaders, wary of the risks associated with Reubeni’s grand claims, distanced themselves from him. Also, many believed him to favour the relatively tolerant Ottomans over the persecutorial Christian regimes.

Decline and Fate

After leaving Portugal, Reubeni’s fortunes began to decline. He was shipwrecked in Spain and lost many of his documents11. In Mantua, he was caught attempting to forge replacements for these lost papers, damaging his credibility11.

In 1530, Reubeni joined forces with Solomon Molcho, his former follower. Together, they attempted to meet with Emperor Charles V in Regensburg in 153211. This meeting proved disastrous. Charles V handed both men over to the Inquisition11. Molcho was executed in 1532, while Reubeni was transferred to an Inquisition prison in Spain11. He is believed to have been executed, possibly burned at the stake, in Llerena, Spain, around 15389.

Legacy and Historical Significance

David Reubeni’s story, recorded in his Hebrew diary and various contemporary accounts, provides a unique window into the religious and political dynamics of 16th-century Europe. His journey intersected with several key historical currents:

  • The ongoing tensions between Christian powers and the expanding Ottoman Empire.
  • The precarious situation of Jews and conversos in the aftermath of the Iberian expulsions.
  • The prevalence of messianic and apocalyptic expectations in both Jewish and Christian circles.

While Reubeni’s claims of a powerful Jewish kingdom were likely fabricated, his ability to navigate the complex political landscape of Renaissance Europe and gain audiences with influential leaders is remarkable. His story highlights the power of messianic hopes in a time of great upheaval and uncertainty.

Reubeni remains an enigmatic figure, described variously as a mystic, an adventurer, a diplomat, and a fraud. His true origins and motivations continue to be debated by historians. Regardless of the veracity of his claims, David Reubeni’s journey through 16th-century Europe stands as a fascinating episode in Jewish history, illustrating the complex interplay of politics, religion, and identity in a turbulent era.

Reubeni was hailed as a messiah by many wealthy Jews and Iberia’s oppressed conversos, but his grand ambitions were halted in Regensburg when the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, turned him over to the Inquisition.

Diary of a Black Jewish Messiah is the first English translation of Reubeni’s Hebrew-language diary, detailing his travels and personal travails. Written in a Hebrew drawn from everyday speech, entirely unlike other literary works of the period, Reubeni’s diary reveals both the dramatic desperation of Renaissance Jewish communities and the struggles of the diplomat, trickster, and dreamer who wanted to save them.

FEATURED PHOTO:

The Miracle of the Cross at the Ponte di Rialto (Italian: Miracolo della Croce a Rialto), also known as The Healing of the Madman, is a painting by Italian Renaissance artist Vittore Carpaccio, dating from c. 1496. It is now housed at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice.

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