Mordechai de Lattes

In January 1702, wealthy scholar, kabbalist, and Sabbatean R. Abraham Rovigo (1650–1713) sailed from Livorno for the Holy Land, accompanied by twenty-five followers—men, women, and children—among them Mordechai de Lattes. Following their arrival, de Lattes penned a letter describing the journey and the first two months of life in the holy land. He also listed the names of all those who sailed with Rovigo. The letter depicts in detail the difficult and stormy sea journey and eventual arrival in Acre. Due to the dangers of travel by land, it was preferable to continue by sea; after arguing with the captain while the travelers remained on board the ship, Rovigo persuaded him to take them to Jaffa. Consequently, the sea journey took almost an entire month. In Jerusalem, the travelers were welcomed warmly, but shortly afterwards some of them perished in a plague outbreak. Eventually, during the intermediate days of the Passover festival, Rovigo realized his goal and established a yeshiva in Jerusalem. Most of the scholars in his yeshiva were also supporters of the Sabbatean movement.