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This may be a bit deeper than I am capable of fully understanding.
Im sure you can understand
here is how i understand it (better informed will pardon me for simplifying)
Lurianic Kabbalah, the dominant school of jewish mysticism, holds that when the world was created, to create "space" for the world, G-d had to withdraw himself. Which caused a cosmic change, that resulted in divine holiness being trapped in evil matter (thus a neo platonic/ gnostic distinction between the evil material world, the holy hidden - this found in some forms of muslim and christian mysticism, I believe)
To releast the sparks of holiness, one performs divine commandments, prays, and engages in meditation and other mystical exercises. (this is at the root of much hassidic emphasis on the holiness of the mundane)
To Sabbatai, it was not only important to release the sparks in the mundane - but to release the sparks in actual sins. To do this, he publicly vioated certain ritual laws (eating on fast days, for example).
When he arrive in Istanbul, the Sultan, apparently not liking the idea of a messiah/king claiming a certain territory - had him arrested and forced him to convert to Islam or die. He did convert - presumably out of fear of death. Many of those who continued to follow him claimed he was not afraid, but converted, because, by becoming a muslim, he could redeem the sparks of holiness contained within (sorry) Islam (Thats not a compliment to Islam -its a grouping of Islam with worldy, tangible things in need of redemption). A small minority of his followers decided they were obliged to follow him and also converted, though they were NOT forced to (whatever one beleives about the long history of Jews under muslim regimes, the 17th century Ottomans were certainly one of the friendliest to the Jews) These were the Donmeh. Who eventually died out toward the end of the 19th century (their limited marriage pool would have been a severe constraint) Gershom Sholem says that some of the Young Turks came from Donmeh families.
Wasn't the messiah supposed to come before the temple was destroyed for the second time?
Malachi chapter 3 says that the Messiah, whom the Jews seek, will come to His temple and that He is the Lord himself. He is the messenger of the covenant, which one? He has the refiners fire to purify the sons of Levi. Chapter 4 says that the Jews have to remember the law of Moses and before the Day of the Lord comes He will send Elijah Mal 4:5.
From my very limited understanding in every generation, there is someone worthy enough to be revealed as King Moshiach such as the late great Rebbe of righteous memory, but that has NOT happened yet.
Malachi chapter 3 says that the Messiah, whom the Jews seek, will come to His temple and that He is the Lord himself. He is the messenger of the covenant, which one? He has the refiners fire to purify the sons of Levi. Chapter 4 says that the Jews have to remember the law of Moses and before the Day of the Lord comes He will send Elijah Mal 4:5.
No, it says the lord whom the Jews seek. The word used is "adon" - "lord". Not the word moshiach "messiah"
It also emphasizes that the coming of the lord to the Temple will be sudden "pitom"
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