Creator Bio
Nathan of Gaza
1644–1680
Nathan of Gaza (also known as Nathan Benjamin ben Elisha Hayyim ha-Levi Ashkenazi) was born in Jerusalem and moved to Gaza around 1663. The son of a respected religious scholar, he too became a scholar of Talmud and also of kabbalah. In 1665, he had a vision that Shabbetai Tsvi was the Messiah and urged him to proclaim himself. He served as Shabbetai Tsvi’s prophet, writing letters that spread news of the messianic movement to Jewish communities around the world.
Entries in the Posen Library by This Creator
Primary Source
Letter to Shabbetai Tzvi
Indeed, in order to do the will of my Father who is in heaven, I came in fear, trembling and trepidation, with a bow of my head and a prostration of my body, “spreading out my arms and my legs” [b…
Primary Source
Letter to Raphael Joseph
To our fruit of holiness enwrapped in praise, our man of deeds rich in accomplishment, the exalted prince and honored rabbi. May your light shine like the rising sun, blossom like the flowers! May an…