History records that a Portuguese Marano, Diego Peres (born 1500), after being spurned by Jewish adventurist David Reuveni, circumcised himself, changed his name to Shlomo Molcho, and went on a mission to convince Maranos everywhere to return to Judaism. History records, also, that he correctly predicted a flood in Rome and an earthquake in Portugal, gaining him the respect and protection from the Inquisition from Pope Clement VII. He later fled to Turkey and Eretz Israel and was known to be a student of Rabbi Joseph Karo, among others. In 1532 he was burned at the stake by Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire. See, e.g. Dimont, Max I., "Jews, God and History." Secular historians have named Molcho as a false messiah. Yet in some Hasidic circles -- especially those of Galicia and Hungary -- he is revered as a saint and Kabbalist. Which version is true?
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