THE HERESY OF JACOB FRANK

by Jay Michaelson

"Jacob Frank, one of the most unexpected, shocking, original, and misunderstood figures in Jewish history, stirred up the Jewish world from the margins of heresy to the center of broad messianic movement that engaged thousands of followers in the mid-eighteen century, by crossing every traditional border of the Jewish community. Now, for the first time, The Heresy of Jacob Frank provides a groundbreaking book-length analysis of Frank's outrageous and innovative religious ideas, based on close readings of his recorded oral teachings. Dr. Michaelson's brilliant work is a major achievement in the scholarship of Frankism, Sabbateanism and Jewish mysticism, as well as an engaging and surprising tale of a man who transgressed every boundary he came across. Highly recommended."
-- Rachel Elior, John and Golda Cohen Professor Emerita of Jewish Philosophy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Genres: Judaism, Nonfiction, Jewish

272 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2022

About the author

Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson is the author of ten books, most recently "The Heresy of Jacob Frank: From Jewish Messianism to Esoteric Myth." He is an affiliated assistant professor at Chicago Theological Seminary and holds a Ph.D in Jewish Thought from Hebrew University and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

Dr. Michaelson is also a regular contributor to New York, Rolling Stone, The Daily Beast, and other publications. His journalistic work primarily focuses on the Supreme Court, religion, law, and sexuality. And he is a senior editor and podcast host at Ten Percent Happier, a meditation startup.

Reviews

[JabJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focuses on excerpts from Jacob Frank's "The Words of the Lord." It's a very thorough presentation of his ideas and teachings. If you're interesting in Frank's mindset and fine points of his credo, you'll find it here.

But if you are looking for a biography, this isn't that. I've read Olga Tokarczuk's massive novel "The Books of Jacob" yet still was left wondering why exactly did he attract so many followers? what was his appeal? After reading this work, I'm still left with the same question, so I'll just keep looking.