This book investigates how the academic study of Kabbalah has been shaped by modern concepts of mysticism, national theology, and the influence of New Age spirituality. Boaz Huss, a professor specializing in Jewish mysticism, utilizes historical analysis and critical theory to examine the boundaries between legitimate academic research and popular, contemporary interpretations of Kabbalistic traditions. He argues that the modern construction of 'mysticism' has fundamentally altered how scholars and practitioners perceive Jewish esoteric texts.

Scholars in the field of Jewish studies frequently cite this work for its critical examination of how academic disciplines construct their own objects of study. Experts highlight the text as a significant contribution to the historiography of religion, noting its dense, analytical approach to the sociology of knowledge.