Derush boker de-Avraham (Sermon: Morning of Abraham)

Abraham Michael Cardoso

ca. 1670–1672

I propose to set forth the faith of our ancestors—our prophets, our sages—forgotten by us these thousand years, because of the long duration of our exile. This faith was known to the Tannaim and most of the Talmudic Sages; many of the Geonim, too, had it by tradition. Afterward the directors of the Academies may possibly have kept it hidden in…

Please login or register for free access to Posen Library

Already have an account?

Engage with this Source

Creator Bio

Abraham Michael Cardoso

1626–1706

Born in Spain to a New Christian family, Abraham Cardoso moved to Italy with his older brother Isaac in 1648. There they both openly embraced Judaism. Abraham studied Jewish theology and kabbalah and practiced medicine. Later, he traveled extensively, living in, among other places, Livorno (Leghorn), Cairo, and Tripoli. He became a follower of the messianic claimant Shabbetai Tzvi. After the latter’s conversion to Islam in 1666 and death in 1676, Abraham developed some of the theoretical underpinnings for continued Jewish Sabbateanism. On this issue, he split with his brother Isaac, who remained faithful to rabbinic Judaism.

Related Guide

Early Modern Rabbis and Intellectuals on the Move

1500–1750

Carrying books and knowledge, itinerant rabbis and scholars traveled between communities, facilitating cultural exchange.

Related Guide

The Rise of Kabbalah

1500–1750

Kabbalah spread widely after the Spanish expulsion. The Zohar's printing in Italy, Safed's influential kabbalistic center, and Shabbetai Tzvi's messianic movement popularized mystical ideas across Jewish communities.