The city of Amsterdam was much like New York City; Jews may have been a minority in population, but they were highly influential in commerce and government. However, like so many Jewish communities before and since, Amsterdam Jews were no strangers to internal conflict. Amidst tensions between Sephardim and Ashkenazim, new controversies arose that further widened the rift. From the popularity of the false messiah Shabsai Tzvi to the suspicion under which the Arizal's kabbalah was held, Rabbi Wein characterizes the religious battles fought in this once-thriving and wealthy Jewish community.