ABULAFIA, ABRAHAM BEN SAMUEL

(1240-after 1291)

   Spanish kabbalist and pseudo-messiah. In 1280 he went to Rome to persuade Pope Nicholas III to help the Jews. He evoked hostility from Solomon ben Adret by prophesying his own messiahship and redemptive powers. He believed his kabbalistic practices, based on letter manipulation, enabled one to receive prophetic gifts and commune with God.