Conque, Abraham Ben Levi

Cabalist; lived at Hebron, Palestine, in the second half of the seventeenth century. Swayed by his cabalistic studies, Conque threw himself into the Shabbethaian movement, and became one of the most earnest apostles of the pretended Messiah. Even the apostasy of Shabbethai Ẓebi did not shake Conque's belief, and he remained until his death a faithful follower.

Conque traveled, as a collector for the poor of Palestine, throughout Germany and Russia, and everywhere endeavored to win adherents to the movement. At the request of a friend residing at Frankfort-on-the-Main, he wrote, in 1689, an account of Shabbethai Ẓebi's life, which reveals in the author a peculiar state of mind. The account is full of miracles and prodigies, firmly believed in by Conque. It is referred to in Jacob Emden's history of the Shabbethaian movement, "Zot Torat ha-Ḳena'ot." Conque was also the author of the following works: (1) "Abaḳ Soferim" (Dust of Scholars), Amsterdam, 1704, the first part, under the special title of "Em ha-Yeled," comprises homilies on the Pentateuch; the second, "Uggat Reẓafim," contains Biblical interpretations by himself and others; and the third, "Em la-Binah," consists of nineteen sermons. (2) "Minḥat Ḳena'ot" (Offering of Jealousy), a treatise on jealousy. (3) "Abaḳ Derakim" (Dust of Roads), a collection of sermons. The last two are mentioned by Azulai, who claims to have seen them in manuscript.

Bibliography:

  * Azulai, Shem ha-Gedolim, ii., s.v.;
  * Zedner, Auswahl, p. 178, note 10;
  * Grätz, Gesch.x. 228, 306, 422;
  * Steinschneider, Cat. Bodl. col. 675.



K.I. Br.