Manasseh ben Israel

Manasseh ben Israel was a 17th-century Portuguese-Jewish scholar, printer, and diplomat, known for his significant role in advocating for the re-admission of Jews to England after their expulsion in 1290. His most notable work, "Menasseh ben Israel's Mission to Oliver Cromwell," comprises a series of pamphlets he published between 1649 and 1656, aimed at persuading the English government to allow Jews to return. Ben Israel's efforts were pivotal in the eventual readmission of Jews to England, marking a significant moment in Jewish history and the broader context of religious tolerance during the period.