The Sabbateans were a Jewish religious movement that emerged in the 17th century in the Ottoman Empire, which is present-day Turkey. They were led by Shabbetai Tzvi, a charismatic figure who claimed to be the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. The movement attracted a large following, particularly among the Jewish communities in the Ottoman Empire, but also in other parts of Europe and the Middle East.
The Sabbateans rejected traditional Jewish beliefs and practices and advocated for a radical reinterpretation of Jewish law and tradition. They believed that the laws of the Torah were temporary and that the coming of the Messiah would herald a new era in which the laws would no longer be binding. They also believed in the doctrine of "the redemption through sin," which held that the Messiah would lead the Jewish people into a state of sin, in order to purify them and bring about a new era of spiritual enlightenment.
The movement caused a great deal of controversy and division among the Jewish communities, and ultimately, Shabbetai Tzvi was forced to convert to Islam under pressure from the Ottoman authorities. Many of his followers also converted, but a significant number of them continued to secretly practice Sabbatean beliefs and formed secret societies. The movement eventually faded away, but it had a lasting impact on Jewish history and continues to be studied by scholars of Jewish and religious studies.
It's important to note that, despite the conversion of the leader, many of his followers kept the faith and even formed different sects, some of them still existing today, like the Donmeh, a sect of Turkish Jews with a strong influence of Islamic and Gnostic beliefs.