Jacob Najara

Jacob Najara was descended from a scholarly family residing in the land of Israel and Syria, but originating from the town of Nájera in Spain. He was a fervent Sabbatean. When Shabbetai Tzvi visited Gaza in 1665, he stayed with Najara, who was then serving as rabbi of Gaza. Shabbetai Tzvi also appointed Najara as his High Priest. In 1666, Najara sent out letters supporting Shabbetai Tzvi’s claim that he was the Messiah, along with prophecies pronounced by Nathan of Gaza. Najara remained a follower of Shabbetai Tzvi even after the latter’s apostasy, visiting him in Adrianople in 1671.