Cover

Title

Copyright

Dedication

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF PLATES

TABLE OF TRANSLITERATION

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION TO THE PRINCETION CLASSICS EDITION

1 THE BACKGROUND OF THE SABBATIAN MOVEMENT

I Historical and sociological explanations of the Sabbatian movement and their deficiencies

II Messianism in Jewish history and its two conflicting tendencies: the catastrophic-utopian and the rationalistic forms

III The messianic idea in the kabbalah

IV Lurianic kabbalah and its myth of exile and redemption

V The historical role and social significance of Lurianic kabbalah

VI The spread of Lurianic kabbalah until

VII Kabbalism in Poland. The messianic expectations for the year 1648. Contemporary reactions to the great massacres of that year

VIII Utopian messianism in Christianity: chiliasm and millenarian movements

2 THE BEGINNINGS OF SABBATAI SEVI (1626–1664)

I Sabbatai’s origins and youth. His kabbalistic studies and his “Mystery of the Godhead”

II The sickness of Sabbatai Sevi: its nature and significance

III Sabbatai’s first “manifestation” and his banishment from Smyrna

IV His wanderings in Turkey. Abraham Yakhini and David Habillo

V Sabbatai Sevi in Jerusalem

VI His sojourn in Jerusalem and mission to Egypt. His marriage to Sarah (1664-65)

3 THE BEGINNINGS OF THE MOVEMENT IN PALESTINE (1665)

I Abraham Nathan Ashkenazi and his prophetic experience. Sabbatai’s return from Egypt to Gaza. The great prophetic revelation and mes sianic illumination in May, 1665

II The apocalypse The Vision of R. Abraham

III Sabbatai Sevi in Gaza and his excommunication by the rabbis of Jerusalem

IV Sabbatai’s travels through Safed and Aleppo to Smyrna. The messianic agitation in Gaza after Sabbatai’s departure

V The prophet Nathan’s letter to the chelebi Raphael Joseph in Egypt. Significance of the letter

VI Nathan’s penitential tracts

VII Nathan’s Treatise on the Dragons and its principal doctrines

4 THE MOVEMENT UP TO SABBATAI’S IMPRISONMENT IN GALLIPOLI (1665–1666)

I The spread of the first reports from Gaza and Egypt. The silence of the opponents

II Rumors of conquests by the armies of the Ten Tribes in Persia, Arabia, and North Africa

III The movement in Palestine after Sabbatai’s departure (from autumn, 1665, to early spring, 1666)

IV The movement in Smyrna until December, 1665

V Sabbatai gains control over the community in Smyrna. The events of December, 1665

VI Mass prophecy, and the appointment of kings by the messiah. Sabbatai’s departure for Constantinople

VII The movement in Constantinople. The prophet Moses Suriel (or Saraval). Sabbatai’s imprisonment in Constantinople (February- April, 1666) and his removal to Gallipoli

5 THE MOVEMENT IN EUROPE (1666)

I Conditions and factors making for the success and spread of the movement. General description of the penitential awakening

II Italy. Allegations regarding a “ reign of terror” in the Italian communities

III Amsterdam

IV The Jewish communities in the German lands

V Hamburg. Jacob Sasportas and his Sisath Nobel Sevi. Moses Abudiente and his Fin de los Dias

VI Poland

6 THE MOVEMENT IN THE EAST AND THE CENTER IN GALLIPOLI UNTIL SABBATAFS APOSTASY (1666)

I Sabbatai Sevi in Gallipoli (“the Tower of Strength”) during the months May-July, 1666

II New festivals and the abolition of traditional fasts. The visit of the Polish emissaries

III The spread of the movement in Turkey, Egypt, and North Africa. Abraham Miguel Cardozo

IV The movement in Yemen

V Nehemiah Kohen and his visit to Sabbatai Sevi

VI Complaints to the Turkish authorities regarding an alleged Jewish revolt. Sabbatai’s appearance before the sultan and his apostasy in September, 1666

7 AFTER THE APOSTASY (1667–1668)

I The effects of the apostasy on believers and unbelievers. The crisis of faith

II The rabbis of Constantinople attempt to calm the public

III Nathan’s departure from Palestine. Steps by the rabbis of Constantinople against Nathan and the Sabbatian believers

IV Nathan’s travels in Asia Minor and his at tempts to meet Sabbatai in Adrianople. Sabbatai Sevi during 1667. Nathan’s travels in Greece

V “Believers” and “ infidels” after the apostasy in Europe, especially in Italy and Holland

VI Nathan’s journey to Italy in 1668. His examination by the rabbinic court at Venice and his mystical mission to Rome. His return to the Balkans and residence in Kastoria

VII The prophet Sabbatai Raphael and his travels in Europe

VIII The theology of the Sabbatian believers after the apostasy

IX The doctrine of the apostate messiah and of the significance of the Law according to the writings of Nathan of Gaza

X The letter Magen Abraham by Abraham Miguel Cardozo

8 THE LAST YEARS OF SABBATAI SEVI (1668–1676)

I The consolidation of the Sabbatian group in Adrianople

II The revelations of the year 1668 and the tract The Testimony of the Faith. Sabbatai Sevi and his circle until 1672

III The doctrines of the Sabbatian circle. Israel Hazzan’s commentary on the Psalms

IV The imprisonment and trial of Sabbatai Sevi in 1672

V Sabbatai’s banishment to Dulcigno. The messianic revival in the years 1674-75 in Amster dam and North Africa

VI Sabbatai’s last years. His “Mystery of the Godhead” and the tract The Mystery of the Faith

VII The deaths of Sabbatai and of the prophet Nathan

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX