Chivya D'Rabbanan – Proclamation Opposing the Sabbatean Movement – Wandsbek, 1725

Printed broadside – Chivya D'Rabbanan, proclamations published in the 18th century in the communities of Amsterdam, Frankfurt am Main and Altona, opposing the Sabbatean Moshe son of Meir of Kamenka. [Wandsbek, 1725]. Combination of Hebrew and Yiddish.
The proclamation of the Frankfurt am Main community reads: Heed me, because an evil and wicked man named Moshe son of Meir from Zhovkva… is making rounds from city to city… to incite and seduce our People to give credence to Sabbatai Zevi, may his name be erased, and this is a false and deceitful belief…". Further in the proclamation is the decision of the community heads at the behest of the city rabbi and his Beit Din to ban and sanction all those who support him and follow in his ways: "They shall be cursed and separated from the entire Congregation of Israel, cursed by the celestial Beit Din and by the Beit Din in this world…". One is prohibited to stand within the four cubits of those who believe in Sabbatai Zevi and cannot form the quorum (minyan) required for reciting holy prayers "until they visibly fully repent…".
Leaf, 31.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Tears to paper folds (professionally restored). New elaborate leather binding.