Creator Bio
Samuel Aboab
1610–1694
Born in Hamburg, Samuel Aboab spent most of his life in Italy. He studied under David Franco in Venice and was chief rabbi in Verona and then, from 1650 to 1690, in Venice. Aboab was an early opponent of Sabbateanism and among a group of rabbis who challenged Nathan of Gaza on the occasion of his 1668 visit to Venice. Barukh of Arezzo’s Zikaron li-vene Yisra’el (Memorial to the Children of Israel), on this investigation into Nathan during his time in Italy, was published as an appendix to Aboab’s posthumously published volume of responsa, Devar Shmu’el (The Word of Samuel). Aboab was also instrumental in developing and maintaining links between communities in Italy and in the land of Israel.
Entries in the Posen Library by This Creator
Primary Source
Sefer ha-zikhronot (The Book of Remembrances)
[ . . . ] And all the more so with our brethren the people of Israel who come from the lands of the dispersion, who do not know and have not seen the way in which every person called by the name of…
Primary Source
Devar Shemu’el (The Word of Samuel)
Throughout the tribes of Israel, we faithfully made it known how the holy and wise Nathan of Gaza came here to our camp. He said that he was a prophet, bringing news of the coming of the Redeemer and…