Zikaron L'Vnei Yisrael – Proclamation opposing Nathan of Gaza, the "prophet" of the false Messiah Sabbatai Zevi, by Venetian rabbis. Venice, [1688].
Large leaf, printed in two columns, with ornamental border. Proclamation of Venetian rabbis against Nathan of Gaza, during the course of his travels throughout Italian cities to strengthen his believers [after Sabbatai Zevi converted to Islam]. During his travels, Nathan of Gaza also visited Venice and was interrogated by the city rabbis who compelled him to sign a confession stating that he retracts his "prophecy" regarding the Messianism of Sabbatai Zevi.
In the proclamation, the rabbis recount their interrogation of Nathan of Gaza and declare that he did not speak even one reasonable word and that all his claims were complete nonsense.
The wording of the confession signed by Nathan of Gaza appears in the second column with place, date and details of his admission. Following the confession are two versions of Maase Beit Din from the cities of Uppsala and Adrianople containing the conditions stipulated by the Venice sages to which Nathan of Gaza acquiesced regarding ceasing his Sabbatean activities.
After the publishing of this proclamation, Nathan denied his renunciation and claimed that this confession was extracted from him by force and that he was coerced into signing it (see: G. Shalom, Sabbatai Zevi, Vol. 2, pp. 649-653).
38X55 cm. Fair condition. Stains, dampstains and wear, folding marks, tears to margins and to folding marks, open tear affecting bottom left corner of ornamental border.