Między sekciarskim podziemiem a Haskalą - dylematy uczniów Jonathana Ajbeszica
Between ectarian Underground and Haskala: the dilemmas of Jonathan Ajbeszic's Disciples

Summary/Abstract: After the death of the Jonatan Ajbeszic, the leader of Central Europe’s Sabbataists, in 1764, several conflicting currents began to clash among his followers. His rival Jakub Frank embarked on efforts to succeed him. Another option that was being considered concerned accession to the Evangelical church. Also the nascent haskala, represented in Amsterdam by Naphtali Herz Wessely, had its supporters, as did the sectarian formula followed until that time, according to which the provisions of religious laws were formally upheld while the real faith and rites were cultivated clandestinely. In 1768 Ajbeszic’ disciple, Simon of Deutschkreutz began to associate with Wessely and started to debate questions of faith in public. Following his excommunication, he found shelter in London with Pastor Burgmann, who was an acquaintance of his. The sect’s leaders exchanged letters with Burgmann on Simon, trying to prevent the disclosure of the sect’s secrets by him.

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