This book investigates the historical and theological significance of Jacob Frank, a controversial 18th-century figure who claimed to be a messiah and founded a movement that challenged traditional Jewish law. Jay Michaelson, a scholar of religion and culture, utilizes historical records and the internal logic of Frankist texts to argue that Frankism was not merely a cult of personality but a radical form of antinomianism that anticipated modern secularism and Western esotericism. By examining the transition from traditional Jewish messianism to Frank's materialist and occult practices, the author provides a framework for understanding how religious boundaries are crossed and redefined.

Scholars and historians of religion frequently note the academic rigor Michaelson brings to this obscure and often misunderstood subject. Experts highlight this as a foundational text for those interested in the intersection of Jewish mysticism, heresy, and the development of modern esoteric thought.