: Idel explores how non-Jewish societies in 14th and 15th-century Europe misperceived the Jewish Sabbath as a dark ritual. This led to a tragic linkage between Jews and sorcery, associating their holy day with the "Sabbat" or gathering of witches.

: The study extends into the 20th century, examining how themes of Saturnine melancholy appear in the works of Jewish thinkers like Gershom Scholem and Walter Benjamin . Book Details Saturn's Jews: On the Witches' Sabbat and Sabbateanism

: A central part of the book analyzes the 17th-century messianic movement led by Sabbatai Tzevi . Idel argues that astrological concepts regarding Saturn were instrumental in the widespread conviction that Tzevi was the Messiah.

: The book details the ancient and medieval belief that Saturn, the seventh planet, presided over the Jews because they celebrated the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week. In Hebrew, Saturn is called Shabtai , a name directly linked to Shabbat .

is a scholarly work by Moshe Idel that explores the historical and astrological association between the planet Saturn and the Jewish people. Published in 2011, the book examines how this connection—often termed "Saturnism"—shaped Jewish identity, influenced messianic movements, and fueled anti-Semitic tropes. Core Themes and Content