Bidspirit auction | Shu”t Devar Shmuel. Venice, 1702.

Shu”t Devar Shmuel. Venice, 1702. Single Edition. The Cherem against Shabtai Tzvi. - Sefer She’eilos u’Teshuvos Devar Shmuel, by Rabbi Shmuel Abuhav, one of the sages of Venice, also known for his opposition to Sabbateanism. At the end of the sefer appears a special section titled: “Zikaron li’Bnei Yisrael – a copy of a document issued in the name of the general yeshivah, concerning Shabbtai Tzvi and Nasan ha’Azati.” This section includes a decree of cherem (excommunication) against Shabbtai Tzvi and Nasan ha’Azati, a report from the rabbis of Venice who investigated Nasan ha’Azati, and a strongly worded protest letter against the abolition of fast days by the Sabbateans. Also included is correspondence between the author and Rabbi Yaakov Sasportas of Amsterdam regarding the Sabbatean sect, may their memory be erased. A rare responsa volume, printed in its sole edition, and an important historical source for the history of the struggle against the Sabbatean movement. Otzar haSefer haIvri 42778. Rabbi Shmuel Abuhav  [1610–1694]), among the leading rabbis of Italy, served as Av Beis Din of Venice from 1650 until his passing. Together with his colleague Rabbi Moshe Zacuto, he led the Venetian community and was counted among the foremost sages of his generation. He is especially known for his works Devar Shmuel and Sefer haZichronos, and was among the leading opponents of the Sabbatean movement and the messianic claims of Shabbtai Tzvi and Nasan ha’Azati. Several signatures on the title page. Specifications: [6], 124 leaves. Thick, high-quality paper. Minor tears and paper repairs at the margins of several pages, stains mainly at page edges. Good–very good condition.