In 1840 the Jewish community on the island of Rhodes faced the terrible accusation of having killed a gentile child to use his blood in baking matza.

The governor of the island arrested the leaders of the community and tortured them as they awaited execution. But the child was found alive and well. The accusation proved baseless and the hapless captives released.

On the 14th of Adar, the Turkish sultan, Abed Almagid, issued a royal decree to be kept in the possession of the Jewish community, stating that the charge was false. From that day forth, the Jews of Rhodes celebrated a double Purim in commemoration of that event.