Close Call

Another book another banning -- almost.

The Jewish Press reports that a new work of Jewish History narrowly escaped a ban, after the author convinced the Karlsburger Rav that the Shabtai Zevi episode (a) actually occurred and (b) is something Jews should know about. Money quote:

The author stressed that those unwelcome events that occurred within Jewish communities, such as Shabbatai Zvi, the false and blasphemous messiah of the 1600s, are sadly included in our historical studies and we must learn from their
wrongdoing.

Also, of note: The near scandal almost erupted after someone the Jewish Press calls a "whistle blower:"

...reported to the Karlsburger Rav that the sefer contained a timeline that included events in Jewish history that were not deemed worthy by the stringently observant community. The whistle-blower further reported that the sefer was being sold sealed in a cellophane wrapper so that potential purchasers were not able to open it and see the objectionable entries, while the haskamos were printed on the outside cover to invite purchase of the sefer. Plainly, the whistle-blower hinted, the objectionable references were added to the sefer after the haskamos were given.

Whistle-blower? Far too kind. Why not "trouble-making moron?"