Kitzur Tzitzath Novel Tzvi [abridged compendium of correspondences and polemics against Sabbatian messianism - with notes by Jacob Emden]

SASPORTAS, JACOB

Jacob Emden

(Altona)

(1757)

FIRST EDITION. Stamps of Moses Rosensohn (see below)

Vinograd, Altona 92; Raphael 9-1

Eminent halachist R. Jacob Sasportas (c.1610-1698), a native of Oran, Algeria, served at various times as Rabbi of the Sephardic communities of Hamburg and of Amsterdam. Initially himself a follower of Sabbatai Tzevi, he soon became disillusioned with what he undoubtedly viewed as collective hysteria, and from then on, became the most outspoken foe of the Sabbatian movement. Haham Sasportas’ collection of responsa regarding the Sabbatian movement appeared only after his death. Emden’s reissue of the book (first published by the author’s son in Amsterdam in 1737), was part of his relentless campaign against the remnant of Sabbatian believers, especially the man he suspected of being the heresiarch - Jonathan Eybeschuetz. Sensing that the reader might find the work by now irrelevant, Emden records on the title page: “There is a wicked person who is long-lived. At age ninety, she yet bears children destined for idolatry. (Ninety years have passed since the heresy of Sabbatai Tzevi sprout forth).” In a clever twist on the Biblical matriach Sarah giving birth at age ninety, Emden observes that though ninety years have elapsed since Sabbatai Tzevi was declared Messiah in 1667, his followers yet pursue the belief in his Messianism. Moses Rosensohn (d. Vilna 1896) was a Russian Hebraist who remains rather an enigma. In his literary career he published books advocating reforming Judaism as well as works in defense of Kabbalah. His suspected leanings toward Christianity made him anathema within the Orthodox community. See JE Vol. X, p.477