The Open Secret of Sabbatean Communal Leadership After 1666

Abstract

Popular works of Jewish history have often portrayed the Sabbatean movement as all but disappearing after the apostasy of Sabbatai Zevi in 1666. The impression given by such works suggests that the few remaining believers went deep underground and were aggressively pursued by the rabbis. This paper marshals evidence that there were many believers remaining, including communal leaders; and that the pursuit of Sabbateans was generally lackluster.